Reputational Consequences of Victim Signaling: Victimhood Decreases Status

I have had multiple people over time just flat out tell me that they are gullible. I was shocked. I advised them never to admit that to anyone else or they will be a more likely target for abuse. They didn't understand why. I was again shocked but less this time.

Sure does. And it indicates that you're an easy mark.

I found when I went through school, and basically 'in person social network', with trolls, bullies, and the like, that a harsh and swift response is the opposite of victimhood.

Sure, I got kicked out for a few days. But I got a rep that if you bully me, you're going to get a black eye(s) and a broken nose. Now I didn't bully others, but I would defend myself and go all out on someone attacking me. I made sure every one of them regretted it.

Obviously, I dont use that physicality these days, as its unwarranted. But verbally, I will defend myself and "talk back". If you try to throw me under the bus, I'm taking you with me. But I dont throw others under.

Basically its the game theory of tit-for-tat. Works pretty well.

These things are always point in time truths. A society which rewarded victimhood would eventually find exploitative people claiming to be victims and then it would adapt over time to not reward victimhood.

An unfortunate property of fields without time translation symmetry.