Gossip May Override Facts?

Question

What are your thoughts in regards to "People Are More Likely to Be Influenced by What They Hear Rather than What They See?

For anyone interested in reading the article click on the link.
http://www.webmd.com/sex-relationships/news/20071015/gossip-may-override-the-facts?ecd=wnl_day_101707

Answer 1

Unfortuantely, you are absolutely right. We are soooo very anxious to believe the worst in others....does it make us feel better about ourselves? No matter how kind a person is, no matter what that person does in life, there are those who are evil, jealous, and want to bring all others down to their level..it is one of the nastier human conditions. As for me, when gossip comes my way, I make a statement, loudly, that I want nothing to do with petty nastiness that others are spreading about another! Only if we all do this, embarrass the gossip carrier, will it ever stop. Yet too many are fearful of being ostracized for standing up for another person whose reputation is being slaughtered by petty, nasty hearted people. I made a comment once, at age 25, that was nasty spirited . I was called on it in public, loudly, and I was so damend embarrassed that it never, never happened again. I will always be thankful to that lovely person who had the nerve to stand up and tell me off for what I had passed in the way of gossip. Trust me, I have never done it again. I don't cast aspersions at others, I usually keep my suspicions to myself, for suspicions are a dime a dozen, and to verbalize them would be ruinous to another's repuration...no matter how much you may appolgize, the damage cannot be retracted. Always think very carefully before ever doing anything that is hurtful to the spirit of others, for they are most probably innocent. Love and peace, Goldwing

Answer 2

People are generally too lazy to check the facts out for themselves. Unfortunately they don't understand that the Media is controlled by the State and Government, and all over the world today there are tightening of rules, regarding what the larger publications and TV new are allowed to show. So you have to go looking to really find out what is going on. Most people won't do that. Sir Winston Churchill once said, a lie will spread around the world, before th truth has time to pull it's pants on. So true. People''s reputations are ruined, sometimes their families and businesses too.

Answer 3

I read this article and frankly, somewhat agree with it. This site is a perfect example. Constant referrals to folk who MAY be trolls can influence other members regardless of whether those folk are or are not trolls. I mean how can we really know?

I guess that is why I just try to stay out of potentially troublesome posts :-)

And later today I read a very lengthy article on the internet news about Senator Craig and found myself swayed by all the 'gossip'

Guess I'm just as human as the next!

Answer 4

Gossip only influences those with small minds and little intellect.

An intelligent, mature person would never believe anything unless they had personally checked into themselves.

That goes for gossip, rumor, news media, newspapers and other forms of communication.

An old adage is: Don't believe anything you hear and only half of what you see. It still hold true.

Answer 5

I have been told "gossip" a number of times about someone I know, and I just say "sorry I know them I dont believe that, you would have to prove it to me". Gossips dont like hearing that.

I cant stand gossips. I dont gossip because I, frankly, am too darn lazy or tired, I prefer tired, to open my mouth and say something I really dont need to say.

Second gossip can be deadly, it has led to the ruin of careers, marriages, and to people being killed or commiting suicide.

The thing about gossip is a person can be a saint and yet nothing prevents someone with no morals making up some kind of malicious lie about them and then spreading it all over.

Another thing about gossips is most will SWEAR its the truth, when in reality they are just mindless parrots getting a little thrill out of "whispering" something shocking to another person.

I think too that "having something nasty" on someone else makes some small minded people feel superior and they spread it to make themselves look better, how many times have you heard someone say "I would NEVER do what Helen did, its terrible". (or Bob or sue or whomever) Its their way of saying "look at me, I a much better person than --"

I say cut out their tongues and be done with gossips.

If I hear someone is gossiping and spreading lies about me I always say "whats the point? I can get into enough messes without you having to make up crap about me - "

HOWEVER there is a difference between gossip and truth which is backed up by clear, concise evidence - and when giving someone this kind of information protects them from harm.

Answer 6

I detest gossip. I have seen some peoples lives damaged so severely. I like the old adage "if you can't say something nice about someone then say nothing at all."

Answer 7

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Answer 8

I live a very quiet life, this Senior complex I live in is the gossip mecca of the land--I do not engage in this junk and refuse so I avoid the people that live here. They have no life at all and it centers on who did what and how come. I won't play.

Answer 9

Facts are only gossip untill you say them so many times that someone writes them done then they are facts. I.E. George Washington and the cherry tree

Answer 10

Excellent article! I have seen many examples of this myself. I try to make up my own mind and research what others tell me to be true. Gossip can be hurtful, but so many of us do believe it.