Our interest in celebrities may feed off of this thirst for learning life strategies.Our fixation on celebrities is reflective of an innate interest in the lives of others and an artificial sense of familiarity which tricks us into thinking they are important to us. But they also serve as “common friends” that serves as a safe subject of gossip to facilitate interaction between people.

Celebrity Gossip's Purpose

The awareness that others are likely talking about us can keep us in line. Among a group of friends or coworkers, the threat of becoming the target of gossip can deter “free-riders” and cheaters.

Fear Of Whispers Keeps Us In Check

Our prehistoric ancestors lived in small intimate groups. To survive they needed to cooperate with in-group members while also competing for mates and limited resources.It was fundamental to know who was reliable, trustworthy, a cheater, a good mate and so on. To that end, an intense interest in the private dealings of others was beneficial and favored by natural selection.

We’re Hardwired To Gossip

Sharing secrets is one way people bond, so avoiding gossip may lead to social isolation. Someone skillful at gossip can be socially informed and have a good rapport with others. On the other hand, someone who doesn’t gossip may become an outsider, neither trusted nor accepted by the group. Gossip also helps to integrate newcomers into groups by exposing group norms and values.

Social Isolation

Let's face it: gossips get a bad rap. Smugly looking down from the moral high ground - and secure in the knowledge that we don't share their character flaw - we often dismiss those who are obsessed with the doings of others as shallow.