I don't like to engage in gossip as a matter of principle. It doesn't feel right to me. Unfortunately, we (now) live in a (global) culture that encourages people to not approach others directly when there are issues. When something bothers us, as humans, we need to vent and express our view-point. And if you’re told not to confront people directly, you vent by gossiping to a 3rd party (another friend, coworker or family member).
Of course, the problem with that is, if the subject of the gossip finds out that you are expressing criticizing of them to someone else (which is inevitable), and thereby tarnishing their reputation with others; naturally, they feel betrayed. Also, they are less likely to learn anything from the experience as it will be overshadowed by the scorn of betrayal. That's why, I feel it is better to confront someone directly, especially if you care about them; and risk short term resentment; averting long term resentment and loss of trust.
I do mean to say, we are being conditioned (through culture) to avoid a meaningful exchange of ideas in favor of superficial subjects. And, it should be no surprise that there are so many depressed and anxious people in the world. We are being denied the very thing that makes us human! We are being denied those "ah-ha!", "eureka" moments and the ability to share them with like-minded people.
When you’re stuck in the frame, it is hard to see the big picture.... Humans are so neurologically adaptable that we can learn and be conditioned to do things that may in fact undermine our efforts for survival. If you’re not allowed to see the big picture, you have no reference for comparison.
We are constantly bombarded by trashy, tabloid, basal, primal subject matter. How often do you see reality TV shows that deal with mental illness directly? Reality TV shows on drug Intervention are a poor example. Drug use ultimately is the consequence of an untreated and underlying mental illness. That mental illness is rarely addressed in these shows.
We are only exposed to the end-product (not the source) of untreated illness, ignorance, the misguided and the ill informed; social dissonance, dysfunction, chaos. We are rarely showed examples of harmonious collaborative human endeavors.
We need to collectively wake-up as a society, and make ourselves aware of these subversive, shadowy machinations.
The truth has a distinctive ring. Learn to hear it...
