Study: Gossip creates social connections, allowing learning about world indirectly ANI | Updated: Apr 27, 2021 10:26 IST Washington [US], April 27 (ANI): Gossip is often considered socially taboo and dismissed for its negative tone, but a quirky study from Dartmouth College illustrates some of its merits. Gossip facilitates social connection and enables learning about the world indirectly through other people's experiences. Gossip is not necessarily spreading rumours or saying bad things about other people but can include small talk in-person or online, such as having a private chat during a Zoom meeting. Prior research has found that approximately 14 per cent of people's daily conversations are gossip, and primarily neutral in tone.