The Secret Social Superpower: Why Gossip Is Essential to Human Bonding

The content of gossip is inherently fascinating because it often touches on issues of status, power, and competition. Stories of dramatic rises or falls from grace, relationship scandals, or financial misfortunes captivate people because they allow for direct or indirect social comparison. By examining the lives of others—especially those perceived as rivals or being in positions of higher status—people can momentarily boost their own self-esteem or confirm their own life choices, providing a sense of relief or even superiority when witnessing another's failures.