Gossip has been around probably since the third human being came along – it takes two to gossip and the third one to have someone to gossip about.

Social media has ramped up gossip into the stratosphere, and I, for one, am a lost soul when it comes to explaining why folks think they have to comment on anything, and especially why they would do so in a semi-public forum for strangers to see, and about something that is clearly not any of their business.

And then of course the strangers have their say, and the event takes on a life of its own.

I’m thinking in particular of a local event last week when a citizen was arrested for spitting on a corpse at a funeral home visitation.

I found two instances where this piece of news made its way onto a social media platform (there were probably others), and boom, it just blew up with needless and useless commentary.

I’m not sure this is what Mr. Zuckerberg had in mind when he was trying to come up with a way to meet a girl.

And at the end of the day, what was accomplished by all this idle chit chat? I suppose the organizations that threw this news out there gained lots of views that day. I suspect for every comment at least 10 others viewed and held their tongues (kudos to them). But if that’s what it takes to be noticed, perhaps some re-thinking might be in order for their business strategy.

The great question is simply, why? Why post this kind of stuff knowing that it will generate all manner of useless commentary? And why be caught up in that commentary? It has no benefit to society, and indeed, could easily be described as harmful.

I’ve been advised that there will be a separate line to get into heaven for all those commenting folks. They have some questions to answer first. 

I know this is like sweeping the tide with a broom, but I can always hope that humanity finds a better path, of kindness and consideration and respect. With each passing day, that has much more appeal for me.