Gossip: good, bad, or ugly?

Hello everyone!

This Saturday, we're diving into the juicy world of workplace gossip. So, get ready to uncover what's hot and what's not when it comes to office chit-chat!

Picture this: you're at the water cooler, casually discussing last night's TV shows, and suddenly, the conversation takes a detour into the bumpy road of office rumours.

Do you follow the crowd, join in, add your own titbits, or make a moral stand and walk away?

This article in Time looks at reasons why we gossip and the science behind this behaviour.

Robin Dunba, an evolutionary psychologist, argues that gossip helped our ancestors survive and is integral to the way our societies have developed.?

Some scholars say that gossip can serve to teach people what is socially acceptable.?

Overall, the article highlights that gossip is not solely negative and can have positive aspects, including social bonding, cooperation, and entertainment, as long as it's done with the right intentions and within certain boundaries.

Similarly, in her TED youth talk, Syndey Hardern, claims that gossip is not just negative rumours but involves “talking about people who aren't present,” sharing updates, personal stories, and anecdotes.?

Contrary to the common perception of harmful rumours, she says, gossip can be positive or neutral.?

Her video emphasises that gossip is a prevalent and important aspect of human communication, contributing to social bonding, cultural values, and individual well-being.?

Responsible gossiping involves understanding motives and using it wisely as a social tool.

What do you think?

Based on the above article and video here are 10 questions for discussion in the group this Saturday.

1. How would you redefine gossip based on the insights provided in the article and video? Do you agree that gossip can include positive or neutral conversations about people?

1. The video mentions that around 65-80% of our conversations involve gossip. Does this surprise you? Why do you think gossip is such a prevalent aspect of human interaction?

1. According to evolutionary psychology, how did gossip play a role in human survival as groups grew larger? Can you think of examples where gossip might have helped maintain social bonds or establish cultural norms?

1. Gossip is considered a social bonding tool, similar to grooming in primates. Can you share a personal experience where gossip has positively contributed to your relationships or sense of belonging?

1. The video suggests that gossiping responsibly involves understanding one's intentions. How can we differentiate between positive bonding gossip and harmful gossip? What criteria should we consider?

1. Have you ever found yourself caught up in a situation where gossip led to negative consequences, either for individuals or relationships within a group? How could such situations be handled differently?

1. The video mentions that gossip can help individuals process emotions and gain insights into their own situations. Can you share an example of a time when discussing someone else's situation helped you understand your own emotions better?

1. How can gossip serve as a mechanism for cultural learning and teaching acceptable behaviours? Have you witnessed situations where gossip played a role in shaping collective values within a community or group?

1. Is there a difference between face-to-face gossip and online gossip in terms of impact and responsibility? How does anonymity or the lack of immediate feedback influence the way people engage in gossip?

1. Considering the information from the article and video, how can we strike a balance between embracing the natural inclination to gossip and being responsible and respectful in our discussions about others?

These discussion questions should help us explore different facets of gossip, its role in human interaction, and the ethical considerations surrounding it.

Hope to see you there,?

David

PS I'm going to restart the Wednesday Sessions as part of my group membership and full programmes. They will be based on the same topics from the preceding Saturday, but will look more closely at vocabulary and language structures from the previous discussion. We will also do speaking exercises in these sessions.

From 16th August, they will be held every Wednesday at 18:30 (UTC+07:00)

Use the same Zoom Link to join?

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