Are you a gossip?  Aren’t we all?  Come on, admit it.  We all dish the dirt at one time or another.  We know we shouldn’t, but we just can’t help it.  Now, researchers are giving us a pass on our gossipy ways and are telling us it’s not only ok to gossip, but it may be good for you.

Scientists at the University of California, Berkeley (Cal) say gossip has gotten a bad rap over the years and have concluded there are real benefits to gossiping – at least certain kinds of gossip. They say that “prosocial” gossip, that is the kind that warns people about untrustworthy or dishonest people (as opposed to the “voyeuristic” rumor-mongering as you might find in tabloid magazines or gossip columnists and television shows), can help us.

Image by theCalibre via Flickr

How Gossip Helps

So, how can gossip help us?  The researchers say gossip can help us avoid bad behavior, prevent us from exploiting others or being exploited by others, and can lower stress.  Really!

What makes the research interesting is the way the Cal scientists went about conducting their experiments.  The had a bunch of volunteers play games that focused on how generous they were to each other by way of how much cash or points they shared with one another.  In one experiment 51 people were attached to heart rate monitors as they watched other people playing a game.  After a while they realized one player was cheating and hoarding his dollars/points.  As they watched, the observers’ heart rates increased when they saw the cheating occur.  They also slipped a “gossip note” to warn the other player about what was going on.  That action caused the observers’ heart rate to calm down.

Are You Unselfish?

In another experiment, 111 participants filled out questionnaires that asked about their level of unselfishness and cooperativeness. Then the volunteers were asked to watch a game of “economic trust” where one player, again, was seen to be cheating.  Just like in the first experiment, heart rates increased as the cheating was seen and came down when a note was passed on to the non-cheating player.

In a third experiment, volunteers were asked if they would sacrifice their own pay in order to pass a note to someone alerting them to cheating by another person.  A majority of the volunteers said they would.

The findings suggest that gossip for positive reasons was a good thing and caused physical and psychological change in the people who engaged in the practice for positive reasons.

But, doesn’t a lot of gossip take place for less altruistic reasons?  Doesn’t gossip generally occur for the purpose of just passing along something juicy you heard about someone?  How about celebrity gossip?  That’s probably not going to fall into the category of “prosocial” activity. The researchers didn’t delve into that realm, leaving the question unanswered – what have you heard lately about Lindsay Lohan?

Click here for more articles by The Writin’ Cowboy.

Celebrity Break-ups and Hook-ups

Let us look at the breakdown of several high profile marriages in 2011, including that of Arnold Schwazenegger, Jennifer Lopez and Demi Moore.

Arnold Schwazenegger separated from his long-time wife, Maria Shriver, after he admitted fathering an illegitimate child with a plain housekeeper and kept it a secret for years.

Jennifer Lopez separated from Marc Anthony in July but had not filed for a divorce. The sexy 42-year-old has a new man now, who is her 24-year-old back-up dancer, Casper Smart.

Jennifer Lopez and Casper Smart

Talking about break-ups, we could not leave out the dissolution of the union between Demi Moore and Ashton Kutcher. One of the world’s best known cougar couples, they had called it quits after Kutcher’s alleged infidelities.

However, it is not all bad news as Jennifer Aniston has found herself a new man again after being dumped by Brad Pitt. The popular ‘Friends’ star, who is now basking in love with hot new squeeze, Justin Theroux, has also trumped Angelina Jolie to be the ‘Hottest Woman of All Time’ by Men’s Health Magazine.

Jennifer Aniston and Justin Theroux

We Will Remember Them

Heavyweight champion Joe Frazier, who beat Muhammad Ali in the Fight of the Century, had died of liver cancer. One of Hollywood’s most legendary beauties, Elizabeth Taylor, had also passed away this year due to a congestive heart failure. The most shocking death should belong to talented but troubled singer, Amy Winehouse, who passed away at the age of 27 in her home due to suspected drug overdose. The ‘Rehab’ singer joined Kurt Cobain and Jimi Hendrix, who died at the same age.

Amy Winehouse

Stealing the Show

Pippa Middleton drew gasps from the crowd as she announced her entrance in a stunning form-fitting white bridesmaid dress designed by Sarah Burton of Alexander McQueen. The 27-year-old stole the thunder from her elder sister in the royal wedding of the year and became an instant hit across the globe. Since then, the Duchess of Cambridge’s younger sister had been stalked by the paparazzi.

Pippa Middleton

Celebrity Babies 

David and Victoria Beckham welcomed their fourth child, Harper Seven Beckham, who is their first daughter. Mariah Carey gave birth to a pair of twins, Moroccan and Monroe. Victoria’s Secret models, Miranda Kerr and Doutzen Kroes, gave birth to their first child, both sons, while Natalie Portman and pop star Pink became first-time moms.

Harper Seven Beckham

Justin Bieber and Selena Gomez

Justin Bieber and Selena Gomez are in love, at least according to eyewitness. The lovey-dovey couple had been seen holding hands as they shopped, while showing off their affection for each other. Their love remained strong even when Bieber was being accused to have fathered 20-year-old Mariah Yeater’s baby boy.

Justin Bieber and Selena Gomez

Celebrity’s Nude Pictures Leaked Online 

As you might have heard, nude photos of voluptuous star Scarlett Johansson, Gossip Girl actress Blake Lively, R&B singer Rihanna and High School Musical star Vanessa Hudgens had leaked online. Also, Lindsay Lohan’s Playboy photos had been posted online without permission, ahead of its publication on 15 December. 

Scarlett Johansson

Linsay Lohan

Charlie Sheen’s Infamous News

Troubled star Charlie Sheen had checked into a rehabilitation centre for the third time. He had made several derogatory comments towards Chuck Lorre, the creator of Two and a Half Men, asked for a pay raise even though he was the highest-paid television actor and was fired from the show. Also having an equally complicated personal life, he was allegedly caught partying with porn stars, as well as having two girlfriends at the same time.

Charlie Sheen

Lindsay Lohan paid handsomely to perform openly in Playboy Magazine. Lohan paid a U.S. $ 1 million from these adult men’s magazine. The photo was made ​​public curiosity.

Many are wondering what kind of photos that Lohan will be the January issue of Playboy magazine cover or February next year. However, neither Lohan nor stingy Playboy party talk. They want to make a surprise.

However, unfortunately, as quoted by the Daily Mail, one from several Lohan nude photos for the magazine bearing the rabbit had been leaked on the internet first. In the photograph, the artist who is familiarly called Lilo is seen sitting in a chair-shaped red rabbit.

He appeared ‘plain’ just wearing black high heels. Her blonde hair loose section adds this former child star. Important parts of his body covered seats.

Playboy party was sure to bring Lilo in their magazine will be an attraction and a high selling price and its own controversy. Therefore, to promote it, Lilo bersediamengungkapkan nude photos on a talk show ‘Ellen DeGeneres Dhow’. Star of ‘Mean Girls’ will appear on Dec. 15 at the show.

Lilo himself who chose to speak at the event. After that, he would not accept interviews from the event or any other media about the photographs syurnya.

Many believe, the artist who is familiarly called Lilo is deliberately accepted the offer was tempting because he was facing financial difficulties. However, Lilo has denied the news. He is willing to do so to express themselves.

“Sex and sexuality are part of nature. And I went with nature,” said Lilo as quoted from Bettyconfidential. “Knowing yourself and your body is very important because it gives you confidence. And in life, women need confidence,” he said.

Regarding the various responses about posing nude in Playboy, Lilo would not give a damn. He impressed casually responded.

“I think all are part of the tendency of people want to know every detail of celebrity life,” he said.

Indeed, the plan poses exciting Lilo will be published edition of Playboy magazine for January or February 2012. However, because some poses nude Lilo has been leaked on the internet, the owner of Playboy, Hugh Hefner asked to immediately publish a magazine with a cover Lilo end this December.

And Here’s the sneak peak Lindsay lohan picture as Playboy Cover

The “Mean Girls” star told playboy within an appointment enclosed the girl 10-page nude graphic that will costs 5 years she has visit recognize “that finally we’re responsible for ourself and our own actions.In .

Newspaper originator Hugh Hefner has stated he advanced the trail night out with the highly-anticipated problem — certainly where an golden-haired Lohan programs the woman’s idol Marilyn Monroe’s famed 1953 Playboy magazine photograph distribute — in part since images were lost online.

The Lohan problem hit Playboy’s internet site on Wednesday and also the newspaper hits newsstands December 16, some day right after Lohan’s slated job interview upon Ellen Degeneres’ day time TV talk show. Excerpts from the Playboy interview have been unveiled in Sunday.

The former little one celebrity in whose occupation provides experienced recently next arrests for drunk driving a car, drug ownership as well as thievery, informed Playboy she would have done items in another way in her own recent times of problems.

Cover via Amazon

“Looking rear, My spouse and i probably would possess followed and taken much more advice through the folks to whom We admire along with would have implemented via by using it much more,Inch Lohan said.

“My stubbornness in 16 and 19-years-old acquired in terms,Inch your woman said. “During earlier times five-years, We have learned that time marches on quicker as compared to you imagine, and because you simply reside when you have to understand from the blunders, live your dreams and turn into accountable.In .

In The fall of, Lohan was sentenced to Four weeks inside offender pertaining to violating the woman’s probation on current criminal expenses, nevertheless supported less than a evening behind bars due to overcrowding.

In a excerpt in which apparently references your ex choice to be able to present nude for the publication, Lohan mentioned: “Sex as well as sexuality certainly are a section of dynamics i go together with nature. I do believe Marilyn Monroe as soon as asserted.”

Along with the celebrity, who initial obtained celebrity enjoying two sisters in 1998 Disney world video “The Parent Lure,” said your woman doesn’t realise why her life has grown to be newspaper deacyed plant material.

“I have no idea why there is certainly this kind of desire for everything I do,Inches your woman explained. “I suppose it’s all thing about this development of folks curious about each and every details of your celebrity’s existence.

“I mean, even as decrease so much exactly where mags do pictorials on my own wardrobe to court, that’s so that unimportant,Inches Lohan stated.

The “Mean Girls” star told the magazine in an interview accompanying her 10-page nude pictorial that during the past five years she’s come to understand “that ultimately we are responsible for ourselves and our own actions.”

Magazine founder Hugh Hefner has said he advanced the street date of the highly-anticipated issue — in which a blonde Lohan channels her idol Marilyn Monroe’s famed 1953 Playboy photo spread — in part because photos were leaked online.

The Lohan issue hit Playboy’s website on Saturday and the magazine lands on newsstands December 16, one day after Lohan’s scheduled interview on Ellen Degeneres’ daytime TV talk show. Excerpts of the Playboy interview were released on Saturday.

The former child star whose career has suffered in recent years following arrests for drunken driving, drug possession and theft, told Playboy she would have done things differently in her recent years of trouble.

“Looking back, I probably would have listened to and taken more advice from the people whom I admire and would have followed through with it more,” Lohan said.

“My stubbornness at 18 and 19-years-old got in the way,” she said. “During the past five years, I’ve learned that time flies faster than you think, and because you only live once you have to learn from your mistakes, live your dreams and be accountable.”

In November, Lohan was sentenced to 30 days in jail for violating her probation on recent criminal charges, but served less than a day behind bars due to overcrowding.

In an excerpt that apparently references her decision to pose nude for the magazine, Lohan said: “Sex and sexuality are a part of nature and I go along with nature. I think Marilyn Monroe once said that.”

And the actress, who first gained fame playing twin sisters in 1998 Disney film “The Parent Trap,” said she doesn’t understand why her life has become tabloid fodder.

“I have no idea why there is this fascination with everything I do,” she said. “I suppose it is all part of this trend of people wanting to know every single detail of a celebrity’s life.

“I mean, once we get to the point where magazines are doing pictorials on my wardrobe to court, that’s just so unimportant,” Lohan said.

According to the hacker, he tracked the photos down after someone had hacked and uploaded them to a file-sharing website from Russia. The digital pirate confessed to the American news site that this was not the first time he had leaked photos from Playboy Magazine and admitted that he has gotten several cease-and-desist letters from Playboy in the past. Meanwhile the 25-year-old troubled actress reportedly received a staggering amount of $1m for baring it all for Playboy.

A hacker has revealed Lindsay Lohan and leaked her Playboy photos. The top secret layout for Playboy magazine is scheduled for January/February 2012. According to the hacker he didn’t steal any of her pics for the magazine. He found them on the web at a file sharing website.

Playboy is featuring Lindsay in all her glory and the magazine is scheduled to go on sale next week for the world to see. Friday was the day the photos were leaked to the world on the web instead of inside of the Playboy magazine.

Earlier this week a pic of Lindsay on the cover of Playboy magazine was leaked. Lindsay was posed with a bunny shaped chair and nothing else. This is the first time the 25 year old has posed nude for the magazine. Rumor has it she received one million dollars for her snapshots. She is currently vacationing in Hawaii.

The hacker refused to give his name in the interview with Foxnews.com said he was able to get the pictures after they were hacked or stolen by someone else and uploaded to a peer to peer file sharing site.

The hacker did admit that he “pieced it together” after seeing the shots of Lindsay Lohan. Although he didn’t steal the pics, he did admit that he has got other photos from the magazine. Along with getting other photos the same hacker received cease and desist notices from Playboy Magazine.

Playboy is trying to keep their newsstand sales active and because of the leak on the web, they have released the official cover shot of Lindsay to mail outlets on the web. Along with the pics the magazine has released quotes and an accompanying article.

Because the men’s magazine talks about sex, they did ask Lindsay about her sex life. According to Lindsay sex and sexuality are part of nature and she goes along with nature. This one is difficult to follow. She admitted that she though Marilyn Monroe might have said it first, she wasn’t sure.

She did admit that the jail stints and trouble that she has faced is partly her fault. She admitted she should have taken more advice from people that were in the know. Also she was more stubborn at 18 and 19 than she is now. That stubbornness got in the way and caused her harm.

Playboy has made the double issue of the magazine featuring Lindsay is online at http:www.playboy.com/lohan.

Although she is taking a holiday in Hawaii, she has court again on Wednesday so she will return to LA no later than Monday.

 come and join us here at the triond writing community.click here.