Robin Dunbar, an anthropologist has got some hot takes on how gossip helps keep large groups of humans tight-knit.

Dunbar’s got this idea called the “social brain hypothesis,” which says that the size of the neocortex [that’s part of the brain responsible for social stuff] is linked to the size of social groups that humans can handle.

Apparently, humans can only really keep up with around 150 other people, and that’s what Dunbar calls the “Dunbar number.”

Now, here’s where things get juicy: Dunbar’s research shows that a gossip is a key tool for keeping these large groups together. That’s right, gossip! It helps people build trust, share information, and establish social norms.

It’s like the glue that holds a community together.

Plus, gossiping helps to reinforce group identity, so people can feel like they belong to something bigger than themselves.

And get this: gossip isn’t just a bunch of idle chit-chat. It’s actually a pretty effective way of passing along important information.

For example, gossip can be used to warn others about threats to the group, or to share knowledge about resources or opportunities that could benefit the whole gang.

According to Dunbar, gossip isn’t just for drama queens and busybodies. It’s a crucial part of social bonding in large groups, and it helps keep us all connected and in the loop.

According to Dunbar, when we don’t participate in gossip, we could be missing out on some major opportunities for social bonding and information exchange with others.

Gossip is like the glue that helps us build and maintain our social relationships, and it allows us to stay in the loop on what’s happening in our social network.

But hold up, before you go spreading rumours about your friends, it’s important to note that not all gossip is created equal. Some gossip can be harmful and downright mean, and it’s important to exercise good judgment and discretion when engaging in it.

So, if you find yourself on the outskirts of your social group and wondering why you’re not getting the inside scoop on what’s happening, it might be time to take a closer look at your gossip game.

But remember, gossip responsibly!

Psssst, looking around to see if anyone is listening [Lowering voice]… You won’t believe what I just found out… Word on the street is that you should have a wonderful weekend 🙂