Beyond Babedom

We're (way) over 40. Deal with it.

The Grin(ning) Reaper

We all know someone who loves spreading bad news. Someone died? They are hitting the phones or texting until their fingers bleed. A tragedy somewhere in the world? Look out, Facebook, they are there! What is it that compels these Grin(ning) Reapers to have to spread the (sad) word? Sure, we all want to know this kind of stuff. My question is, why do some people simply thrive on it?

What is probably the most interesting thing about these Reapers is that they very well might not even realize what they are doing. They think they’re performing a public service, whether it’s for their social media family or their real family. Doesn’t everyone want to know when Aunt Betsy took her last breath? Sure, but I think these catastrophe criers aren’t trying to do something for us; they are trying to fill some kind of void in their own lives.

Is it ego or narcissism that drives them to be the first one spreading the bad news? And, yes, it’s always bad news. They never seem to be jumping on their computers to tell the world someone got a job or bought a house. No, they only want to be the tellers of tragedy.

I’m not talking simple gossip; I mean that really, really bad news that most of us don’t even want to talk about. But, if you’re a diva of devastation, having this news to spread makes people pay attention to you. And if somehow you were actually personally affected by that devastation – OMG – you’ve got a captive audience for weeks, months, sometimes years. No names here, but do you know someone like that?

It’s not me, is it?

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This entry was posted on Friday, January 13th, 2012 at 2:32 PM and is filed under My Pet Peeves, Uncategorized. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

  1. Judy Herring says:

    I agree with you “Oh wise One” – people who seem to thrive on heartache have way too much time on their hands AND have the mantra “misery loves company” in their heads!! What is so sad is how many people find it easier to get worked up over tragic events. Is it really that difficult to be happy?? Along those lines have you ever noticed how many people never ask the question “How are you?” But, they sure will tell you all about themselves.

  2. Chris Munson says:

    One of the ways we cope with the tragedies of life, and the end of it we all are eventually to face, is by contemplating such events with others. By the age of 65, a chronological totem I have recently passed, we begin to notice there are more of our cohort suffering poor health, or past the point of worry because they are dead. Those indulging in such behavior as you cite are most likely the ones most fearful of the conditions they impart to the consideration of others. Worry doesn’t seem to lead to reconciliation. Much better ’tis to contemplate the possibility of some answers to the eternal questions; the whats and whys of a life, or simply look to a final rush of endorphins, a rewind, and replay of the life tape before we see the light inviting us to…..What?

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