Letters to the Editor

This letter is associated with the following article:
Read other letters about this article
Psst! Have you heard...?
I realized I was addicted to gossiping, so I quit. But after four months, my friends think I'm a narcissistic bore -- and all I want to do is dish some dirt.
By Lucy Silag [2007-09-03]

  • Bravo, hontonoshijin. You defined the difference between "gossiping" and true storytelling beautifully.

    "Story-telling I see as a deep and honorable human need. One of the fundamental elements of gossip is taking pleasure in the misfortunes of another."

    Thank for concisely summing up the point. Storytelling (even the postmodern variety) is about making meaning; gossiping is about humiliating and deconstructing.

    I have dropped friends once I discovered that they were gossiping about me behind my back -- yes, taking pleasure in my insecurities or misfortunes. And gossips are never brilliant storytellers because all of their material is derivative -- and then filtered through a tiny narrow sieve of a mind.

    --Anonymous
    Monday, September 3, 2007 03:04 PM
Read other letters about this article

Letters Help