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Username comments on Signalling with T-Shirt slogans - Less Wrong Discussion
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Comments (32)
These might be good for signalling in-group membership, but graphic tees (especially quotes, equations, and 'witty' ones, but really any graphic tees) are not in the least fashionable and you'll lose social points with everyone outside of the in-group. You might get "I like your shirt" comments, but I almost guarantee you won't get "you look good in that shirt" comments.
Depends on where you are. I don't wear geek shirts to work (even though the dress code here is lax enough to get away with it), but I do wear them to conventions, for example. Sometimes, discovering fellow in-group members is exactly what you're trying to do. Tees of this sort are pretty good for that.
For introverts it has the added bonus of signaling passively, so you don't have to work up the nerve to start conversations with unknown factors as part of the search process.
This is quite correct-- even if the graphic is well-designed, as Gunnar's is, that doesn't mean that graphic t-shirts are fashionable. My opinion is that the larger the graphic on a t-shirt is, the less fashionable the t-shirt is. Wearing solid-color clothes is a great go-to option, though I bet that it would be possible to design shirts with less flashy graphics that could signal intelligence while still being fashionable.
That flashy truth graphic wasn't on my shirt (I just linked to it for illustration). Mine is indeed plain text on a black shirt (no 'T').
I don't get "you look good in that shirt" comments in any case and that is not what I aim for anyway. But do you think that the in-group is that small? Maybe I should avoid strict in-group quotes like the HPMOR or Aumann ones.
One of the failure modes of nerds is not putting any value on their own personal level of attractiveness. Which is a mistake, given that better looking people are seen as more likable and trustworthy, are more persuasive, and earn more money. There are good references in the bottom of the post on the halo effect.
Anyone can improve their level of attractiveness, through decoration by dressing well and keeping themselves groomed, being healthier by exercising and eating well, and working on intangibles like improving posture and exhibiting confidence. If you're looking to improve yourself and gain personal advantages, it's worth investing time and money into these areas. In this instance, by primarily buying a well-fitting, fashionable wardrobe. You only need one or two tees for in-group signalling.
This doesn't exactly respond to what you're saying, but I'm seeing a lot of an 'I don't care what I look like' attitude in these comments and this was a good place to address it.
I see what you are getting at. I'm aware of the status and otherwise . I slowly moved toward serious looking clothing and otherwise acceptable looks (beard, haicut). But if I'm not completely mistaken I'm of very average attractiveness physically (which is sufficient).