My theory is that virtue signaling is another defense mechanism, like projection, narcissism, or displacement for most normies. People whose lives (and hearts and souls) are empty want to project the image they are heroes and their lives have meaning by practicing "tolerance", wearing masks, or getting vaccinated. They take in the lies spread on mainstream media by the manipulators and deceivers at the top of the power structure and then broadcast their virtue signaling on social media, condemning anyone who questions or disputes it.

For me this explains at least some of the mass formation psychosis surrounding COVID and the vaccines. Like children, many of them believe they are saving lives and tell the world about it just by wearing masks and getting a shot. It's all part of the superficial and juvenile celebrity-driven culture promoted by most social media. No depth or structure, just sound bytes and photo-shopped images.