Comments on: The science of gossip – some moral consequences… http://www.allconsidering.com/2008/the-science-of-gossip/ Considering life, spiritual growth and more ponderings Wed, 17 Mar 2010 02:48:43 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Katinka - spirituality http://www.allconsidering.com/2008/the-science-of-gossip/comment-page-1/#comment-136 Katinka - spirituality Tue, 28 Oct 2008 08:15:20 +0000 http://www.allconsidering.com/?p=274#comment-136 Hi Mimi. You have not worried with other employees whether the business was going well? You have not talked about so&so's hair? You have not shared your admiration of so&so's way of dealing with customers? You have not wondered who was doing it with whom? Wow. I agree that the negative can outweigh the positive - easily. The scientific point is that people are not usually trying to up their own ego, they are also making friends with the people they talk to and share their gossip with. Of course this may just be one more instance of scientists describing what's normal, instead of what is ideal. Hi Mimi. You have not worried with other employees whether the business was going well? You have not talked about so&so’s hair? You have not shared your admiration of so&so’s way of dealing with customers? You have not wondered who was doing it with whom?

Wow.

I agree that the negative can outweigh the positive – easily. The scientific point is that people are not usually trying to up their own ego, they are also making friends with the people they talk to and share their gossip with.

Of course this may just be one more instance of scientists describing what’s normal, instead of what is ideal.

]]> By: MiMi http://www.allconsidering.com/2008/the-science-of-gossip/comment-page-1/#comment-135 MiMi Tue, 28 Oct 2008 05:11:30 +0000 http://www.allconsidering.com/?p=274#comment-135 Gossip has always been hard for me. I hate it, in fact. Although I do see the good points in it, not many people try to use it for things positive, that I can see. In small towns, it's rampant and negative -- whether it's true or not. In most situations, it's done to make the one gossiping feel better about himself or herself, and never mind who they hurt in doing so. Also, I have found that to gossip with colleagues about problems at work is a definite no-no for peaceful survival in the workplace. In EVERY place I have ever worked -- from window washer to heading a department to management -- just about anything you discuss can be spun to another's advantage. To gossip at work is akin to handing over your weapons. Gossip has always been hard for me. I hate it, in fact. Although I do see the good points in it, not many people try to use it for things positive, that I can see. In small towns, it’s rampant and negative — whether it’s true or not. In most situations, it’s done to make the one gossiping feel better about himself or herself, and never mind who they hurt in doing so. Also, I have found that to gossip with colleagues about problems at work is a definite no-no for peaceful survival in the workplace. In EVERY place I have ever worked — from window washer to heading a department to management — just about anything you discuss can be spun to another’s advantage. To gossip at work is akin to handing over your weapons.

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