Quiet Conversations

The science behind why we gossip despite its negative consequences. QUIET CONVERSATIONS

According to a study by Nicholas Emler, 80% of our conversations are about other people through gossip. Whether it’s about our friends, family or people we have never even met, we tend to have a lot to say about them. On top of that, high school is the optimal environment for gossip to grow and thrive. As much as we would all like to say we don’t do it, that is often not true.

We are constantly surrounded by the stories and claims made about the people around us. Whether it is good or – more likely – bad, we all consume the words about others and likely spread it to the next. A lot of times gossip isn’t meant to be malicious, but merely a way to communicate and form a bond with the person on the other side of the conversation.

“I don’t really try to stop gossiping because I don’t think about it when I’m doing it,” sophomore Holden Schworder said. By Annalie Polen News Editor

Although often times people don’t even know they are gossiping, it has been a common human trait for a long time. “Anthropologists believe that throughout human history, gossip has been a way for us to bond with others—and sometimes, a tool to isolate those who aren’t supporting the group,” according to Psychology Today.

Sometimes it’s even a tool for us to avoid calling people out on their actions. People often gossip if they are not willing to tell it to the person the content is about. This lack of honesty directly to the person may protect their feelings for the time being, but loses some of the sincerity and honesty of the relationship.

“We are social beings in the aspect that conversation brings us together. Sometimes that conversation’s positive. Sometimes it’s negative. Sometimes it’s indifferent. But I think at the heart of gossip is [how] you feel connected to another person,” psychology teacher Heather Sheppard said.

We often don’t take the time to confirm that the information we are processing is true before spreading it on to the next person.

“A lot of times we live in a very fastpaced life… We just want information very quickly and sometimes we don’t do our diligence in finding another source or asking around or trying to find evidence. We just accept it at face value,” Sheppard said.

Everyone would be lying if they said they never gossip. I probably do gossip, but I don’t try to; I try to not gossip by just not caring what other people think,” junior Tucker Kramer said.

Gossip is likely not going anywhere, but the content of what you talk about is in your control.