大象传媒

If language elevates us above other animals, why does human society seem to spend so much time gossiping? Perhaps it's because without gossip there would be no society and language would be much less interesting. In the first of two programmes, Geoff Watts explores our fascination with small talk and chit chat. Where did gossip come from, why did it evolve and how has it changed (and changed us) in the digital age?

If your guilty pleasure is rifling through gossip magazines, then here's a reassuring message: you are merely fulfilling an evolutionary drive. The brain is 'hard-wired' to be fascinated by gossip - which not only helps members of your social group to bond but can also help to police those in the group who transgress. Biologist call them 鈥榝ree-riders鈥� and in large social groups, free-riders can wreak havoc with the society unless they鈥檙e policed 鈥� by gossip.

For anthropologist Robin Dunbar, author of the now classic text, 鈥楪rooming, Gossip and The Evolution of Language鈥�, it is not the pearls of wisdom that makes the world go round but everyday tittle tattle: 鈥渨e are social beings and our world is cocooned in the interests and minutiae of everyday social life. They fascinate us beyond nature鈥�. Gossip, which Dunbar says can be traced back to social grooming in apes, makes up around two-thirds of general conversation according to his research. Without gossip says Dunbar 鈥渢here can be no society鈥�.

Of course, historically, culturally, morally gossip has rarely been seen as anything but good. In Judaism where derogatory speech about another person has a special name 鈥� 鈥楲ashon Hara鈥� or 'evil tongue', it is, says Rabbi Jonathan Sacks, 鈥溾��regarded it as one of the worst of all sins鈥�. Gossip is said to kill three people, 鈥渢he one who says it, the one he/she says it about, and the one who listens in. Gossip is not just a sinful act but one that contaminates others鈥�. Nowhere is this more evident than recent cases of internet trolling and cyber bullying. 鈥渨e need a new ethic鈥� argues Sacks. But are we even capable of changing our nasty habits?

Producer: Rami Tzabar

First broadcast on 大象传媒 Radio 4 in November 2014.