Red Lettered Lady

“Who Am I Sleeping With (This Week)?”

Allow me to introduce myself, I am Lady Chattergirl, a persecuted red-embroidered-alphabet-wearing professional woman, who has gained a reputation that I have nowhere near earned. Through whisperings, I have discovered my alter ego is having way more fun than I am. I know I am not the only one who has fallen victim to this crime.

This is a blog about the wonders of gossip and its impact on any setting. The media can hold sway on society even when the facts are not in fact, fact. This is because the masses are willing to believe just about anything if it is written on the front pages of magazines in the checkout line, or an attractive news anchor says it with complete seriousness.  The same rings true that the character of a seemingly nice person can instantaneously be tarnished by water cooler ramblings of a busy body with too much imaginative time on their hands.

Gossip by definition is the idle talk or rumor, especially about the personal or private affairs of others. In essence, it cannot be avoided due to the lesser promoted human condition: not being able to keeps one’s mouth shut when it comes to the dealings of other people.

When life becomes dull and the need for something new and juicy to chew on rises in our throats, we turn to the age old rumor mill to spice up our day. In an office setting, this information can then spread like wildfire. Just as it was in kindergarten with the popular “telephone game”, the story quickly changes and grows into a monster of esteem crushing proportions. Those faint of heart should cover their ears.

Now this is not to say that I have not been found guilty of the very act that I am now ranting about. I have heard tell of a scandal and repeated it, and I am sure somewhere along the line have started a few rumors all by myself. Therefore, I am not trying to sound innocent or preachy on this matter. However, if I have learned nothing else over the past few years of gossipy torment, I now know I have to keep my mouth shut.

Worry not dear friends, I will, over the course of my time with you, share some of my very own slanderous rumors to which I have fallen prey. I hope that you will be able to laugh at them as I am now learning to after turning the other cheek. Names and details of others involved will be changed or removed to protect the identities of fellow sufferers, as well as the perpetrators themselves. Hence my vow to keep my mouth shut.

As can be seen every day on magazine racks and TV stations across the country, (hell, let’s say the world), celebrities, politicians, royalty, military higher-ups, etc., find themselves shown in unflattering light. Can’t say that some don’t deserve it or didn’t bring it upon themselves with their own actions, but no one’s life should be made a peep show (though, that is exactly what reality stars want, can I just say- yuck). Unfortunately, in the age of a must know public and reality show society no one is safe from public scrutiny.

Let us also not forget the part that social networking media can play in this war of “he said, she said”. Where a teenager can be driven to the edge by cyber bullying or a revolution can begin based on a Facebook posting, there is no limit to how far people will go to be heard, (some just to hear themselves speak).

There are many current events where the words of media lead the people like the Pied Piper leading the rats to the river.

-          In the case of “Captain Coward”, as christened by the Italian media, a man’s reputation is now destroyed due a tragic accident. There are many versions of the story floating out in cyberspace, but the media is not attempting to help clear his name.

-          One of my favorite examples of scandalous tales comes from political debates. To turn possible supporters against their competitors, politicians go in childish name-calling and character attacks. They endorse campaign ads that create doubt in the minds of the people. Here is an example of the media sharing things you may not know about the nominees, as opposed to the typical crap-fest that comes out of your typical campaign commercial.

Ah, the media is never short of talking about someone. One of my favorite quotes comes

from Eleanor Roosevelt and says it all: “Great minds discuss ideas. Normal minds discuss events. Small minds discuss people.”

Join me for future installments filled with some thirst-quenching rumors. 

Sincerely,

Lady Chattergirl