Gossip serves an important social function and allows us to keep track of social norms

Gossip serves an important social function by allowing us to communicate social norms and acceptable behavior. It helps us make smarter decisions about who we should interact with, collaborate with, or avoid. Gossip provides information about the cooperative or uncooperative nature of individuals, allowing us to adjust our behavior accordingly. This can be particularly useful in new environments, like workplaces, where we rely on gossip to warn us about certain individuals or identify potential mentors.