I Heard...

Posted Up: December 19th 2000, Jr Simpson

This is just going off on folks saying all kinds of nothing. Blowing smoke up someone's ass for whatever reason they have. I know there are folks out there just trying to say something to get people riled up and ready for conflict. Here's my thoughts on this thing that I wrote back in the day.

What is it with people and gossip? Why are someone else's problems something so special to know about? I don't know, but it seems that drama is what some people live for. If it isn't readily available, they figure that they might as well start some of it themselves. Kinda like jumpstart their own enjoyment I guess? All this, and then when heat gets to them, they try and switch up the story to show that what they do is bad, but there is probably going to be someone else who's doing something that is far worse? Maybe so, but why even put yourself in that league? It seems a li'l twisted to me, but then again, by my standards, a lot of things are twisted. But, also, if the heat is getting a li'l too hot for them, they may just take themselves out of the picture too. Kinda like jumping a ship they helped sink I'd say. It's like starting something, and letting everyone else worry about it.

I've seen that there are people that gossip so much that they almost need to have something or someone else to talk about. Doesn't it seem weird that they'd go through all that, and not do very much to bring themselves any light? To me, it's like they'd rather make a name for themselves off of other people's doings. Not very practical I'd say, but sometimes things just make you think, ennit?

If it isn't them talking about others, they try and blow something out of proportion that happened to them. That there is just the same as needing to talk about others. You want the spotlight on you, if just for a moment. An innocent kiss could blow up to be a cry of rape? You may revel in the attention when you get it, but what happens when attention of support turns to attention of angst or pity?

Why even gossip though? Just to say that you heard so and so say this about someone? Is it to fulfill your li'l conquest of knowing something somebody else didn't? Then again, you're relaying some info, and it's probably not exactly right. You may have conveniently left out some detail that changes to the whole mood of the story? You may have included your own dialogue to fit your reason for telling this bit of info? Only you know, but if things get too hectic, the truth will eventually show up. When the truth is revealed, where are you standing?

If it's all that important to know, why not bypass the person talking 'bout they heard this and that and just hit up the source of it all? I'm sure it's more reliable to hit them up, then to take another person's word for it. Or, maybe you do need an unbiased 2nd or 3rd party to reveal what really went on? Either way, you still get more than one side of the story to base your judgments on, rather than just go by one person's recollection of the thing they may not have even witnessed?

Are some people so caught up in telling someone else's dirt that they tend to forget about their own? I mean, here's this person going off about someone else, but leave out the fact that they too, might be guilty of whatever? It's like an addict trying to tell on another addict for shooting up. Or, having some child molester going off about a rapist? Informative; maybe? Reliable; probably not. I don't think that someone who's guilty of being unfaithful to their significant other is a reliable source in testifying about adultery in court. That's why judges and lawyers always look for a credible witness rather than someone who doesn't fit that bill. The same should go for everyday life and it's li'l tidbits of news, or gossip.

Okay, gossip can easily be taken as true, and I know that from personal experiences. But, after awhile, gossip is just pointless. Why would I want to know who said what, who did what, what happened after.... or just anything about anyone else? If they wanted me to know about any of that, they'd come and let me know. I wouldn't have to hear about it from someone just saying it to say it. I try to tend to my own business first. Worry about what I'm doing instead of what people might think of me doing it. Once they worry about what I'm doing, they should let me know. That way I can give my reasons to them and give my side of the story. Easy, and painless to do that, rather than worry and stress over someone else's business before I even get to handling my own.

I know things always get twisted around and the truth can be totally different from what you heard. Someone might be running off at the mouth just to instigate something. It's not always as it seems, because there may be some ulterior motives involved. Good or bad, the exaggeration of things can get ridiculous. But, some of the exaggerations show creativity in a way. Either way though, it would seem that exaggeration is something that isn't necessary in telling about some event. If you do sense some type of exaggeration, be wary of what you heard. It's like this one bumper sticker I saw. It only had two words, but carried some weight with it. "Question Everything." I'm not saying that everything is going to have some kind of lie embedded in it, because believing that is showing a good sign of having some type paranoia.

Gossip isn't usually something punishable in the courtroom, but it is punishable in other ways. Your word may not be taken seriously after getting a reputation of someone who gossips. Avoidance alltogether might occur because letting you know something isn't a wise move to make in their eyes. Even physical harm might take place because you may have said something wrong about someone. There are consequences to be taken after you gossip. Small, or extreme, there are always consequences.

Posted on 04 Jun 2006 by Windreamer