I am a very curious person. I like to know where doors lead, what makes things turn colors, how things work, and how other people live. It is because of my curiosity that I became very addicted to “reality” television. When I was a teenager, The Real World was just coming out. It was fantastic to watch “seven strangers, picked to live in a loft, and find out what happens, when people stop being polite, and start getting real”! I always watched, and learned quite a bit about how people live in other parts of the world (mostly the US, but a couple other places). As time went by, The Real World deteriorated into “The Drunk World” and “The Model/Musician/Actress World”. People have become professional “reality” show stars. It’s sad.
On Twitter, I love that the people I follow are just there, being themselves. In my personal “Twitter Hallway” (thanks to a blog by @leahjones) there are friends, musicians, clergy, straight people, gay people, Jews, Episcopalians, people from many places around the world…and even Perez Hilton. I like to keep up on the interesting tidbits in the entertainment world, so I followed him. My curiosity got the better of me. I know that gossip isn’t cool…and I try to refrain from malicious gossip. This morning, when I opened up my TweetDeck, Perez had posted “proof” that Adam Lambert was gay. Now, never once did I feel like I needed or wanted “proof” of that poor man’s sexuality. I knew he was gay, and it wasn’t just the eyeliner. But that didn’t stop me from clicking on the link. I was curious. And then, when I saw him holding hands with his boyfriend, and the sheepish smile across his face, I was ashamed of myself.
My curiosity made me feel ill. I have no right to the intimate details of ANYONE else’s life. I am not privy to those details because they do not involve me. One of the things I love about Twitter is that, for the most part, everyone is on an even playing field. The people I follow are awesome, down to earth (mostly) and just real folks. I love the fact that at any given time, I may be passing any of those people and saying a kind word or getting a little inspiration. There are jokes, contests, silly and serious conversations, and even company while watching tv.
I can no longer be as “up on the gossip” as I used to be. Despite my efforts to be a better person, I feel like this area is really holding me back. So, I’m letting it go. Goodbye Perez Hilton. I’d say I wish you continued success, but if it comes at the cost of ruining people’s lives…I can’t.
i compulsively read his blog and it sickens me – so much of what he writes is not even classy. People magazine – taste and class. Perez – none. But its like an accident we pass on the highway – we cannot help but look.
you are inspiring me to not visit his site. thank you for the metaphorical kick in the pants.
What is the word again, for gossip? You wrote about it in your blog a bit ago…
curiosity gets the better part sometimes. the last time i visited his blog was the night of the mtv movie awards but ONLY because of the new moon trailer and you know i have to watch that. i watched it and closed the tab. before that it was months (i think) since i visited his site.