by Bassam Sidiki

Created on: June 30, 2009

What helps me get out of bed on a lazy Sunday afternoon? The aroma of fried egg and fresh toast from the kitchen? Incorrect. The vexatious noise made by the vacuum cleaner in the living room? Incorrect. My mother's constant hysteric urges to get up and take a shower? Never. Then what is it the magical tool that sweeps away the Sandman's sand from my eyes and brings the joy of a new day? Yes, the sense of happening and drama in daily life is what fuels me. I don't know about others, but I have noticed that what wakes me is someone telling me the latest news in family or friends.

We all need some spice in our lives. When the genuine fun in gatherings ends, we are sure to turn to gossip for refuge from the ever-present black hole of boredom. The secrets that lie behind every eye of every face and behind every door of every house certainly arouse one's curiosity, and we do not hesitate to discuss them. Gossip is something engraved in the human soul and deep rooted in our society which people turn to for enjoyment in general. It is a juicy watermelon sprinkled over with pepper and salt that we just love to munch up. Indeed, it is the cherry on top of life's sweet delicacies.

Besides fun and entertainment, gossip may be used by people of a different agenda. As they say, knowledge is power. People in search of leverage are usually in interested in the lives of other people in order to manipulate their weaknesses. Dark, is it? Trust me; you may be one of these people without even knowing it. Gossiping gives birth to blackmailing and other social evils. Only because the secrets of our lives are being hunted down by scheming figures.

For some, gossip isn't even linked to influence or power. For them, gossip is second nature. It is a conditioned reflex, or probably a part of their genetic composition. Such gossip is akin to "backbiting". If Alice despises Jane, she will speak of the latter in the harshest of tones with her gang of girlfriends just to release all the hate in her heart. It's as simple as that.

Gossip, like any other weapon, may be a source of unbelievable amusement to the gossiper. Yet, if this weapon is used by another against us we are sure to regret the sharpness of our tongues. Those not cautious enough with what they say about others eventually tie the weapon to their own bodies, annihilating themselves in the process. Gossip is the very root of broken friendships, social climbing, backbiting, hypocrisy and other social ills.

Little do the gossipers know that what brings them so much pleasure is also the reason for their own ruin. Yet we just can't resist that juicy piece of watermelon, can we? Gossip may be called the "thing" of the new generation. No wonder the series "Gossip Girl" starring Blake Lively earned so much exposure and success. But are we to change our ways, given the awful consequences of this evil? The truth is, these consequences are what people want.

"Who knows? One day the magical tool that wakes Little Bassam may send him back to bed into a sad deep sleep. XOXO, Gossip Girl."

Learn more about this author, Bassam Sidiki.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.