Why We're All Addicted To Other People's Lives

WHY WE’RE ALL ADDICTED TO OTHER PEOPLE’S LIVES

BY POPPY

Drama. That’s what I need, what is there to write without it, what do you speak about if there's no gossip, the economic state of the world or how this bag doesn't match these shoes what is there to talk about without drama. I personally find it hard to come up with those conversation starters that really connect to other people. All I can make up is some bullshit about how the sun is a bit hotter this week than the last. But quite frankly I usually don't even say that. It's pointless. Drama is what I need, what we as a society have learned to crave.

“Did you hear,” whispered Jen slyly as she sipped her egregiously dry martini.

“Hear what?” Masie preened eagerly leaning in, like a kid at the mention of .

“The Robinsons from up-stairs....are getting a divorce!”

“Oh, oh no. Poor Cathy,"Maisie leaned back and paused for a moment. Stunned.

“Do you think it's because of that girl next door?”

Drama, it's the key to good talk, the need to peek into each other's lives, discuss without any guilt, and sticking your nose where it certainly doesn't belong. 

The reason I need drama is the same as most the ache for something outside of our own lives something exciting and tension filled, but are our lives safe or just boring (speaking for myself here) I don’t think it fair how society socialises us to need the drama when there are people who don't like going out to go find some, which brings forth the age old battle of fomo vs. introverts. I don't like going out to parties. I would rather stay at home by myself and watch a movie as I believe some others would too but the issue is even when you don't want to be there the guilt of what you're missing out on still finds you. 

For instance your scrolling before bed and you come across your a friends post, a photo dump of their most recent outing, and even though it's not your scene, and you know you would've hated it and would've wanted to leave early that ache still finds you, like your missing something you don't want (like that crush you have on a boy out of sheer  boredom.) it's purely that we are conditioned to like things that are out there to seek community instead of spending your friday night continuing your two week minecraft phase.

But maybe boredom isn’t the problem, maybe we just don’t know how to sit with it.