All throughout our years at school we have witnessed or even experienced the effect of rumors. Rumors have developed and have become a lot more innovative throughout time. From whispers going in one ear and out the other to posts on social media, it’s as if rumors remain inevitable. No matter what the circumstances are a rumor, both true and false, can be spotted and brought to the surface in an instant. As claimed by the First Draft News article titled “Recent research reveals false rumours really do travel faster and further than the truth” it was stated that “On average, it takes more than 12 hours for a false claim to be debunked online, according to two recent projects that compared how falsehoods and truths spread.”
This shows that rumors hold great power, especially those that are not true. But what exactly is a rumor? Well according to Merriam-Webster's dictionary a rumor is a “talk or opinion widely disseminated with no discernible source”. This is interesting because of the negative connotation “rumor” contains. As we see in the definition there is no mention of a rumor automatically being negative. However society has managed to give “rumor” such an impactful connotation that the minute we here the word “rumor” we assume to be informed of something bad.
Among society, rumors are seen heavily throughout those in school, especially teenagers. Rumors can start from the beginning of a students school years and can last all the way up to a students final years of school. The spreading of false rumors is something almost everybody can relate to. Nowadays false rumors are seen to be a quick form of communication, and aren't necessarily seen as a big deal. This method of communication can be seen everywhere, even among our peers. Many see it as “news” that is spread from person to person by a subtle and calm approach. However this still has the same affect in the long run if it were to be voiced in a shocking and forceful way among others. By being so call “subtle” people spread rumors by possibly saying phrases such as “So word on the block is. . .” or “Guess what happened to. . .” overall both of these examples, and many more, are ways to start and spread rumors that may or may not be true.
Furthermore, another thing to take note of is that rumors are not always about people. Even according to its definition it is just the speaking of an uncertain topic with no reliable source. Rumors can be seen among objects, places, and many more things in which people can make inferences purely based on what they perceive. It can be inferred that rumors often time get confused with gossip. As gossip is usually targeted for people as their actions contain such great value in which many feel the need to speak on them. Overall rumors both good and bad can easily be seen as trouble. Due to the lack of knowledge and the unreliability of certain sources rumors are another form of lies. Not only do they bring tension among a community but they also bring trouble. And as mentioned before, they are mainly seen among students especially those in highschool. And many know that trouble in high school is cancerous, it needs to be put to an end early before it advances. Therefore “rumors” is a lot more complex than the
speaking of an uncertain topic, but rather the perception and reaction of news in a negative
matter.
“Rumor.” Merriam-Webster, Merriam-Webster, www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rumor.
“Recent Research Reveals False Rumours Really Do Travel Faster and Further than the Truth.” First Draft, 29 July 2016, firstdraftnews.org/latest/recent-research-reveals-false-rumours-really-do-travel-faster-and-furthe r-than-the-truth/.
“Rumor.” Merriam-Webster, Merriam-Webster, www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rumor.
“Recent Research Reveals False Rumours Really Do Travel Faster and Further than the Truth.” First Draft, 29 July 2016, firstdraftnews.org/latest/recent-research-reveals-false-rumours-really-do-travel-faster-and-furthe r-than-the-truth/.
This topic is something that should be discussed more with teenagers. Rumors can really hurt someone or their reputation and yet schools do not discuss the impact of them. This piece explores a topic that is often pushed to the sidelines. I think this piece really could impact someone by simply being able to relate, whether the rumors be about them or remind them of rumors they have heard. -Nikki Cisneros
ReplyDeleteAfter reading this, I realized that I too thought of rumors with a negative connotation. There are also lots of rumors spreading around school all the time. In fact, I learn about a new rumor almost every other day. -Shrey
ReplyDeleteLove it how you started off with how different types of rumors spread faster than others, from there, you did a great job of bringing in the definition of the word "rumor" and the connotation that is usually given to the word. Then you wrapped it up wonderfully by bringing it to real world examples and state how "rumors" are more complex than they really seem. Overall an amazing piece.
ReplyDeleteThis was a great informational piece of work. I love how you breakdown the word rumor and how society changed the meaning into being something negative. In today's society, people spread rumors so fast and with social media being a huge aspect in people's lives, rumors can spread even faster. Great Job and thank you for sharing such an educational piece. ~ Alec Bailey
ReplyDeleteI definitely agree with what you said about fake rumors holding power. Your piece was very strong as I believe that rumors hold an immense strength, especially in high school, where gossip is spread like wildfire.
ReplyDeleteI completely agree with what you said about fake rumors holding power. Rumors are very volatile, and can definitely ruin someones life. This piece was great about raising awareness about a largely looked over topic.
ReplyDeleteIm glad you wrote this and everything that was said is very true. Rumors although not always bad come off negatively because of what the world has made them to be. Im glad you wrote about this topic because its something that truely affects people and just needs to come to light. - Kylie Houghton
ReplyDeleteThis was actually one of the more interesting pieces I've read on the blog. By comparing the actual definition of a rumor to the connotation society has associated with, really opened my eyes to how much we actually hear and spread rumors. Pointing out that all the rumors we hear at school are negative really made me reflect on everything I've heard about other students, and I realized that it is true.
ReplyDelete-Andrea Sordo
I found it interesting how you defined what a rumor is and its effects but it can also be a social thing where people want to hear the gossip just so they can feel involved and that can be why its mainly spread among high school students.
ReplyDeleteI wholehearted agree with your statement that rumors are not inherently bad but come off as negative. The way they are portrayed can hurt some people and their reputation just because someone "heard" something. Your piece was very insightful to their topic and nice job on your work!
ReplyDeleteThis definitely gave me a different perspective on rumors! As a society, we are so accustomed to hearing and spreading rumors that we really do fail to recognize the impact of them. Thank you for sharing such an educating piece!
ReplyDeleteThis piece was needed years ago and is still needed today. Giving the definition showed what a rumor truly means and displayed a different perception and take on what a rumor is and what they're about. Also,touching on how rumors are known to be spread and heard of in highschool puts us all in a shoe we can wear since being in highschool has been tough. But also sharing how a rumor doesn't just pertain to people it can be used for numerous of actions gave a different point of view about the idea. This piece I know opened eyes for many and will have many thinking before stating anything that is unreal, and not factual.
ReplyDeleteI've never read anything before about the topic of rumors. I love how you compare its true definition and the definition given in our society. It's important that this information is herd by other, since rumors spread even more so than before with social media. I agree with you statements made throughout your piece. We need to address how easily negativity spreads. - Saidy G.
ReplyDeleteRumors is such an interesting concept to explain, especially with the advent of social media and more. I also like how you referred to rumors as "news," which I think is extremely applicable to how people no longer value the credibility of real news. Overall this was an insightful piece about the power of rumors. - Serina Ko
ReplyDeleteThis text is a perfect example of how rumors are very effective in our societies and how it creates a sense of volatility projecting to ruin someone's reputation. This is a topic that should be addressed entirely, especially in our school system because that is where rumor plays a big part in our society. - Alexander Pereyra
ReplyDeleteI really like how your piece has such a big impact on society today, more importantly in high school. Many people don't see the big picture when they are spreading rumors and I feel that a lot of people can learn the effects of a rumor, whether it be negative or positive. Overall, Great Job! - Lauren Valencia
ReplyDeleteI love your use of the different sources and meanings of rumors. Also,your description with the negative connotation is spot on. I also would like to agree with some of the other comments in saying that every teenager needs to hear this in order to reduce, as you said, the tension it causes within our community.
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed reading your piece Moises because of how relevant it is today. I feel like this is a topic that should be talked more about to the youth because of the effects of something as simple as a rumor. I like how you discussed the relevance of rumors in teenagers because it is the most used type of communication for us right now. I really found this interesting because not a lot of people talk about rumors and the impact they can create. Amazing job.
ReplyDeleteThe piece about rumors was quite intresting for me to read as society itself has chosen the connotation of a rumor, how it before just meant information without a source but now when we hear about rumors our mind automatically connects us to a negative connotation.I liked the connection of it with highschool as i currently relate to it and it is relevant.
ReplyDeleteYour piece was a great look on what many teenagers face today at school and the toxic environment that is created by a rummor . The effect of a rumor can monumental affect someones life and is hard to erase which you addressed through your piece. Great work!
ReplyDeleteThis piece shows how effective rumors can be to our lives, especially as teenagers we are often faced with absurd rumors that could unfortunately ruin a person's reputation. It is especially relevant today, with social media because word can travel much faster. Your piece gives a great outlook on the way we view what we think could be true, it is important to learn the difference real and fake news, and I think you truly captured the harsh reality of rumors.
ReplyDeleteThis piece was an interesting look at how prolific and invasive rumors are in our society. Rumors are dangerous to society, and yet they are mostly ignored due to how common they have become. -- Gilberto Diaz
ReplyDeleteI loved this piece and couldn't agree more that rumors are toxic to everyone around them. One of my close friends struggled with rumors and it took her a long time and a lot of help to overcome them. It means alot to see that others feel the same way and are trying to end them
ReplyDeleteI like how you compared the actual meaning of rumor and the way society uses rumors and how fake rumors do hold power,ultimately I believe this is a piece people entering into high school should read to educate themselves on the power rumors can have over a person and the negative impact it has on their lives.
ReplyDeleteThis piece really drew to me as personally i know how rumors can affect someone as it happens to everybody and just the situations its bring are bad and can easily ruin your reputation
ReplyDeleteI really found it interesting that you brought out that rumors are only seen as negative because of the connotation that we have given them, they're viewed as something bad in the eyes of not just high school eyes but society's. The first point you brought out about how false news travels faster than what is true really stood out to me as everything is based upon our view of what we perceive to be "interesting". Overall, this was a very well-written piece!
ReplyDeleteThis is a great example on how rumors can ruin someone.your piece give a great look on the way we view things that may or may not be true
ReplyDeleteI genuinely enjoyed every aspect of this piece. Predominantly because much of the younger generation can relate to the situation, including me, in a way that no one should have to deal with and I felt as though you captured the true, harsh characteristic of rumors. Nice job,very well written.
ReplyDelete- Danica Aguilar
Your perspective on rumors and there connection to gossip opened my eyes to think differently about the subject and showed me how powerful words can really be.
ReplyDelete