The internet has become a source of utter confusion. Thanks to its democratic nature, these days everyone can have a say on any topic under the sun. This mind-boggling amount of opinion puts even the very opinionated among us on the backfoot.
Take for example, the "value" of gossip. Without any backing of multi-million dollar research, we could have told you that it is, like retail therapy, a mood-elevator and a couple of hours of exchanging silly notes with friends can be extremely good for the heart.
Gossiping is not a 20th century innovation: a couple of years ago Egyptologists uncovered hieroglyphics that contained sensational gossip about everything from "the baldness of the queen to the sexual orientation of the king"; or gender-specific: recently, American researchers found that men love it just as much as women.
But now a latest discussion note on the internet has left us a bit perplexed.
John Newton, head of Taunton School, Somerset, Britain, says that social networking websites are a "serious threat" because they encourage children to spread gossips.
To which we may add: why blame the children? Even adults are known to indulge in it.
{{/usCountry}}To which we may add: why blame the children? Even adults are known to indulge in it.
{{/usCountry}}However, we firmly stand behind the need for our daily dose of gossip. How else can we add some colour to our otherwise mundane lives? Without gossip, would any of the Page 3 and Bollywood magazines survive? Or for that matter, our beloved politicians, or political diary writers?
As for us, that daily natter with friends and family perks us up after a hard day's work. And, more often than not, it pays to stay in the loop.