Rumors

[jnanacandra]

Another fascinating article on rumors, why they happen, how they're useful, and how to stop themA few ideas from the article: rumors help build social networks, and are also used to help find facts in the face of uncertainty. Saying "no comment" or ignoring the rumor is actually the worst way to deal with it, as it just preserves the vacuum in

Comments

[ignusfaatus]

weird. I would have a hard time witht hat.
My style is to let rumours happen. It seems a lot of people out there just really need them to control things socially.
i don't think I have ever once in my entire life tried to stop a rumour about myself.
bad me.

[jnanacandra]

I think the article was mainly dealing with larger factual rumors such as those in the political arena. It's harder on an interpersonal level, where presenting a reasonable context for the truth can be harder. Sometimes it is easier to back away and let the rumors die out of boredom.

My problem tends to be that I never hear the rumors in the first place, which kinda makes it impossible to combat them.