My absolute favorite description of gossip is from a Laurie Colwin book (I forget which one) when a character says, “I prefer to think of it as emotional speculation.” It’s a funny line, but it also reframes gossip in a useful way, so I’ve been deploying the line as necessary ever since.
This was so interesting! It really makes me think about good gossip and bad gossip, private gossip and public gossip, and then the role of public shaming too. Am reading Jon Ronson's 2015 book on public shaming right now and it's all just really thought-provoking in this context of gossip!
It is SO well written. I wonder given the constant nature of public shaming if we'll eventually get to a place where it just looses it's horror. I don't think so though. I'm finding it really interesting as a parent too, how much it's implicitly done to children and how humiliating that can be, at such tender ages.
Generally me neither. But I discovered the podcast few months ago and probably listen to the whole catalogue of episodes in a couple of weeks. Her voice is iconic!
My absolute favorite description of gossip is from a Laurie Colwin book (I forget which one) when a character says, “I prefer to think of it as emotional speculation.” It’s a funny line, but it also reframes gossip in a useful way, so I’ve been deploying the line as necessary ever since.
Perfect timing as I’m reading Kelsey’s book right now! It’s fantastic and so is this interview.
brb off to tell a friend about this
I like what u did here
This was so interesting! It really makes me think about good gossip and bad gossip, private gossip and public gossip, and then the role of public shaming too. Am reading Jon Ronson's 2015 book on public shaming right now and it's all just really thought-provoking in this context of gossip!
I LOVE that book! Feel like it really started a cultural conversation that a decade on it just like constant and chaotic
It is SO well written. I wonder given the constant nature of public shaming if we'll eventually get to a place where it just looses it's horror. I don't think so though. I'm finding it really interesting as a parent too, how much it's implicitly done to children and how humiliating that can be, at such tender ages.
Post-shame feels like post-thinness—like something that should be possible but also feels impossible to imagine
Quite! I wonder as well though if this is a particularly Western thing, like thinness too. Or maybe shame is universal.
Is there an audiobook format narrated by Kelsey McKinney? I already miss her in Normal Gossip. I think it would be a great one to listen to!
I’m not an audio book girlie, but I’m sure there is! There almost always is, now.
Generally me neither. But I discovered the podcast few months ago and probably listen to the whole catalogue of episodes in a couple of weeks. Her voice is iconic!