Gullible Gossipmongers

Image by Christmas w/a K via Flickr

Gullible Gossipmongers

The increasing attraction of social networking sites needs no explanation.  Just look at the amount of global registered users to gain an inclination of how the internet has become the preferred means of communication in recent years.  Most of us would agree that for the most part, instant communication is a benefit.  Social media is a wonderful tool to expose our writing and our ideas to an unlimited audience.  As we devour the internet for the latest news and gossip about our favorite celebrities, how much of these ideas should be digest as truths.

Many believe that there is usually an element of truth in every topic of gossip, and in some instances this might be the case.  Make no mistake; there was not a crumb of truth in the rumor that circled social networking sites yesterday.  Jon Bon Jovi is not dead; in fact he was performing in New Jersey as the gossip circled the globe.  So, unless you believe in the supernatural, the rumor was nothing more than a prank that had been picked up as “breaking news” by a team of strangers on a “follow” list, and the story became an international event.

Where’s the harm I hear you say?  The harm is caused to the devastated fans, his family.  All-in-all, Jon took it well, saw the humor in it, but I am sure it forced him to think of his own mortality, momentarily at least.

We all love a bit of gossip, and I am sure the gossipmongers in this situation are feeling more than a little red-faced today, or maybe they just don’t care.  Either way, their credibility as news-breakers has seriously declined.  I wonder if there will be a lawsuit to pursue the originator?