-Gossip has 2 sides.
-Gossip can make people feel superior to others.
-Gossip can help us gather information we need to know.
-If you stay within limits, gossip is an ethical activity.
-Gossip is given a bad name by people who take it too far.
The article "Gossip, when it's not too nasty, it has it's good side," by Douglas Todd, examines the two very different sides of gossip, and how it can be an ethical activity, though it is given a bad name.
The argument by Douglas Todd that gossip can at times be an ethical activity is unfounded and repetitive. Todd opens with an introduction, and then proceeds to spend a third of his article citing the more usual argument concerning the negative implications of gossip. He states that journalists can "revel too much in negative, unsubstantiated tales about others," and that "malicious gossip...led to the untimely deaths of both Jesus and Socrates." Todd then states that "If you define gossip as spreading derogatory, unconfirmed information about someone, clearly that is unfair and dangerous." Unfortunately, he fails to state how he would define gossip more positively.
The correct definition of gossip, according to dictionary.com, is "idle talk or rumor, especially about the personal or private affairs of others." Todd confuses meaningful communication about factual information, personal or otherwise, with the term "gossip," which, by dictionary definition is an incorrect use of the word.
Some of his examples, such as the "initially murky tip," regarding Gordon Campbell's drunk-driving arrest, perhaps should not have been published, as they were merely "malicious gossip," until later confirmed by independent sources. However, Todd's argument is that unconfirmed reports, such as this one, can, in effect, act as advertising for further substantiated information.
Hypocritical Todd would have us believe that by "publicizing revelations" about J. Edgar Hoover, we would prevent Hoover from "publicizing revelations" about other Americans. What this example illustrates, more than anything, is the morality of the press at the time, and their unwillingness to attack powerful governmental figures.
I would also make the point that while Todd thinks that truth is a justification of vicious gossip, some truthful gossip can be used as a weapon, just as much as untruthful gossip.
The remainder of Todd's argument comes down to the fact that gossip can be good if good people do it with discretion, and don't make it the center of their lives. Unfortunately, if you asked most people, they would probably consider themselves good.
Response to Sam's blog post:
I agree with Sam, unfortunately, the statistics in Todd's article suggest that gossip is not going to go away. Simply disagreeing with gossip does not change the amount of gossip that is spread. It also does not provide a moral framework with which to judge gossip upon. While Sam makes good points about the confusing feelings gossip can cause, she does not back up her argument, or provide a solution for the problems gossip poses.
Thursday, November 29, 2007
Does your digital self reflect your identity or create it?
-Our "thirst to be understood" is what drives us to seek out connections, and lie, online.
-The Internet was not created for us.
-Our compulsion to "deceive both ourselves and others" is a "fundamental part of human nature."
"Can we trust anything people say online?"
The Internet can not only warp your definition of reality, but it can profoundly alter your morals. Many people try to deceive both themselves and others by creating an alternate persona for themselves online. This blatant denial of reality is an increasing problem in our society. While we do have a "thirst to be understood," I do not believe that devoting time to the Internet is the way to interact and develop relationships with people. The Internet can not only create a "dysfunctional intimacy," it can deceive us into believing that what happens online is truly as important as our face to face interactions. The Internet was "designed by the Cold War," and we must remember that it was created as a tool of espionage and deceit. Although the article states that our compulsion to "deceive both ourselves and others" is a "fundamental part of human nature," I would be much more willing to give a person the benefit of the doubt in person, and to distrust them on the Internet. However, there are certain aspects of the Internet which can be useful. If we are connecting with people we already know, are communicating with people who are important and meaningful in other facets of our lives, or are gathering information from a trusted source, then the Internet can be a tool of amazing force. If you are not careful, the Internet can addict you, and warp your definition of reality, human nature, and morality.
-The Internet was not created for us.
-Our compulsion to "deceive both ourselves and others" is a "fundamental part of human nature."
"Can we trust anything people say online?"
The Internet can not only warp your definition of reality, but it can profoundly alter your morals. Many people try to deceive both themselves and others by creating an alternate persona for themselves online. This blatant denial of reality is an increasing problem in our society. While we do have a "thirst to be understood," I do not believe that devoting time to the Internet is the way to interact and develop relationships with people. The Internet can not only create a "dysfunctional intimacy," it can deceive us into believing that what happens online is truly as important as our face to face interactions. The Internet was "designed by the Cold War," and we must remember that it was created as a tool of espionage and deceit. Although the article states that our compulsion to "deceive both ourselves and others" is a "fundamental part of human nature," I would be much more willing to give a person the benefit of the doubt in person, and to distrust them on the Internet. However, there are certain aspects of the Internet which can be useful. If we are connecting with people we already know, are communicating with people who are important and meaningful in other facets of our lives, or are gathering information from a trusted source, then the Internet can be a tool of amazing force. If you are not careful, the Internet can addict you, and warp your definition of reality, human nature, and morality.
Friday, November 16, 2007
The Silent Raga
I have just started reading the novel "Silent Raga," by Ameen Merchant, after seeing him give a lecture at the Vancouver International Writer's Festival. This book is amazing.
When Merchant was young, he read a novel by a famous Indian author that tells the tale of a girl who's sister runs away from home, unfortunately, the novel told nothing about what happened to the sister, and he decided to tell her story.
The novel is filled with beautiful images of southern India, and the story is insightful and extremely well written.
I would highly recommend this book.
When Merchant was young, he read a novel by a famous Indian author that tells the tale of a girl who's sister runs away from home, unfortunately, the novel told nothing about what happened to the sister, and he decided to tell her story.
The novel is filled with beautiful images of southern India, and the story is insightful and extremely well written.
I would highly recommend this book.
What is this quintessence of dust?
The painting "Starry Night," by Vincent Van Gogh, has a similar emotional reaction and theme to the poem "What a Piece of Work is Man," by William Shakespeare. The dark colours and textures of the painting bring to mind the "brave o'erhanging firmament" of the sky, and how it is a "magestical roof fretted with golden fire." Although the painting is beautiful, it also brings to mind the feeling that the sky is a "foul and pestilent congregation of vapours." The small town in the painting, with its prominent church, gives a feeling of cozy comfort, peace, and serenity, and depicts man as "the beauty of the world, [and] the paragon of animals." The skill of the artist and the beauties of the painting show man as "noble in reason...infinite in faculty," and "express and admirable" in form and reason. The theme of the painting, and of the poem, directly compare, as they are both about man's small and insignificant place in the universe. However, the poem's theme is also a connotation of a pessimistic view of life, and a "[loss] of mirth," while the painting more directly brings to mind optimism at the vast beauty of the universe. All in all, the emotions and themes of the painting "Starry Night," by Vincent Van Gogh, and the poem "What a piece of work is Man," by William Shakespeare, share many similarities, and both bring to mind man's insignificant place in the universe. What are we, if not a "quintessence of dust?"
~
~
Link to "What a piece of Work is Man?"
Lines 305-320
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)