Most people don’t enjoy others talking about them, especially if they aren’t included in the conversation. Yet, people still love to gossip and fill the silence even when facts can’t be confirmed. 

They speculate about Taylor Swift being pregnant because she is getting married soon. Rumors swirl about the feud between social media influencers Alex Cooper and Alix Earle. Searching for clues about their relationship status or possible breakup, online users dissect every public appearance of Timothée Chalamet and Kylie Jenner.

Even when they lack clear evidence, they tell tales about other people’s lives to feel connected and involved in conversations going on around them. 

People often deem gossip as inappropriate or harmful because false information can damage reputations and strain relationships. However, people rarely consider the social role gossip plays in everyday communication. 

As it turns out, talking about others is an “ancient” form of communication, according to Martha Martinez-Firestone, an associate professor and director of DePaul’s sociology program. 

“As part of a society, how we’ve stayed together is sharing information informally about things,” Martinez-Firestone said.

She explained that long before social media, people relied on conversations to stay informed about their communities and exchange news.

“In reality, we are storytellers.” Martinez-Firestone said. “We tell each other stories about ourselves and each other. ”

Rumors are also commonly thought of as negative. But unlike other times in history when word-of-mouth was the standard for attaining information, she explained that the villainization of gossip is a construct of contemporary societies.

“The idea that gossip is wrong is a modern idea,” Martinez-Firestone said, adding that spreading unverified news can offer a form of intimacy. “There is a lot of emotional satisfaction that other forms of communication don’t have.”

Martinez-Firestone added that gossip can even foster a sense of community or connection because of the environment created in which it takes place. She says sometimes the need for communication can even overpower our own boundaries. 

“In the end, communication is more important for humans than privacy,” Martinez-Firestone said.  

Freshman Kevin Benny, a finance major, admits he participates in the act of gossiping on occasion. However, he also acknowledges the toxic environment it can promote. 

“I don’t think it’s nice to talk negatively about people, but it really depends,” Benny said. 

He explained that people who struggle with honesty often are the subject of gossip or rumors because of their own personal challenges.

“If you talk behind someone’s back, it’s going to come back to you,” Benny said. 

Sophomore accounting major Stavroula Koukios also admitted to partaking in gossip, but clarified she often tries to keep conversations lighthearted, steering away from topics “harmful to people.” Koukios said rumors don’t always have ill intent behind them and usually develop from misinterpretations. She explained that once a rumor starts, it can become widespread and amplified by the snowball effect. 

“People will take something and run with it,” Koukios said. 

She recalled hearing a false rumor claiming her sorority donated member dues to a controversial organization. As the sorority’s finance vice president, Koukios said she knew the claim had no truth behind it as she directly oversees where the sorority allocates its money. 

“I can confirm that is not true,” Koukios said. 

Unless they personally know the individual or situation, she says people shouldn’t take what they hear at face value and verify information before forming an opinion. 

“Go to the source, and fact check,” Koukios said. 

She said that when rumors spread quickly, it can cause people to judge situations before understanding the full story. 

“So, do your research,” Koukios said.

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