Social gossip evolved as a vital tool for enforcing cooperation in large groups

Gossip is not merely idle chatter; it is a sophisticated tool for maintaining social order that accounts for 65% of human conversation. According to Robin Dunbar’s research into 'social grooming,' gossip allows humans to track the reputations of others in groups of up to 150 people. By sharing information about who is trustworthy and who is a 'freeloader,' groups can deter social defection by as much as 40%.