Reflection 29 of 52: When does gossip go too far?
July 21, 2014
Gossip is
defined as conversation about the private details of other people’s lives. I
think most people like gossip to some degree. As we have seen with George
Clooney’s recent spat with the tabloid press, celebrity gossip
dominates our news sources and filters into everyday discussions. Clooney has
pushed back at the Daily Mail for erroneous reports about his mother-in-law to
be and they have actually apologized. Be still, my heart.
Obviously
gossip is popular. The 5.9 million followers of Perez Hilton on Twitter speak
volumes. And, that is just the tip of the iceberg. The online sources abound - Celebitchy, Gawker, Gossipgirls – there is even a celebrity-babies.com!
Television shows like Hollywood Insider and Entertainment Tonight boast about
millions of nightly viewers.
This
speaks to our desire to know stuff that is really none of our business. I have
seen research that claims we are hardwired to want gossip as it helped our
ancestors decide who was friend or foe. Even if that is true, the need for
titillating details about a Kardashian wedding or Joan Rivers’ latest facelift
does not serve any obvious benefit. Perhaps it gives us an escape from the
daily grind and for the most part, seems harmless. Celebrities use these various vehicles to build their profiles and promote their latest movies, books or
products.
When
celebrity gossip goes too far, such as the recent case with George Clooney, it
makes all of us a tad guilty for giving any heed to the junk these trashy
publications spew. The twitterverse is alive with indignant reactions to the
Daily Mail and loaded with support for George. How quickly the tides turn and
the source becomes the villain. You knew the snake was a snake before you
picked it up.
I expect
the gossip rags will continue to flourish. The lesson in all this for us is to
know when our own gossiping goes too far. Next time you are about to talk about
someone’s private stuff ask yourself these three questions:
1. Could this information seriously
damage the person’s reputation or put them at risk?
2. How would you feel if someone
shared private info about you?
3. Would you be embarrassed if your "sharing" was broadcast for the world to hear?
Time to
raise the bar and know when chatter goes beyond mild, over the fence gossip and
becomes hurtful slander.
Gossip goes too far when it causes harm.
Gossip goes too far when it causes harm.
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