They say “people who have no life will always try to start drama in yours.” It’s fact that people who don’t feel good about themselves momentarily feel better when they judge others negatively. It’s also been seen that when people cannot generate interesting discussions based on knowledge or ideas, they gossip to stir people’s attention. People gossip in order to hurt those whose popularity, talents, or lifestyle they envy.

A blind item is a news story which we typically see and read in a gossip column, in which the details of the matter are reported while the identities of the people involved are not revealed. The invention of the blind item is credited to William d’ Alton Mann (1839–1920), publisher of Town Topics, who often used it for blackmailing.

Interestingly, communication privacy management (CPM), originally known as communication boundary management, is a systematic research theory designed to develop an evidence-based understanding of the way people make decisions about revealing and concealing private information. CPM theory suggests that individuals maintain and coordinate privacy boundaries (the limits of what they are willing to share) with various communication partners depending on the perceived benefits and costs of information disclosure. It was first developed by Sandra Petronio in 1991.

Petronio uses the metaphor ’boundary’ to explain that privacy of a person should be respected and the limit should not be crossed. Privacy boundaries draw divisions between private information and public information. This theory argues that when people disclose private information about somebody, they need to prove the level of accessibility accountability. An individual’s privacy boundary governs his or her self confession. Once a disclosure is made, the negotiation of privacy rules between the two parties is required. If a person has a reasonable desire to keep something private, it is disrespectful to ignore that person’s wishes without a compelling reason to do so. It is also called boundary turbulence.

In light of Bollywood actor Sushant Singh Rajput’s suicide last month, many theories have emerged. While the case is still under investigation, and even as his relatives suspect foul play, one of the more prominent theories have been he was bullied by the brat packs of the film industry. Prominent film journalists and critics were also accused of writing despicable ‘blinds’ by journalists and one of them is Rajeev Masand. Bollywood actor Manoj Bajpayee and Filmmaker Apurva Asrani on Monday took to twitter to share the terrible things Masand wrote and passed off as Bollywood gossip. Masand is used to writing one small ‘blind’. That will be pure gossip, no names given but ample hints on who that person could be.

In September 2017 Masand wrote “A young male actor, recently reunited with his mentor, is reportedly giving the unit of his new film a hard time during an outdoor shoot. The actor, who is coming off a big dud, likes to give the impression that he’s all calm and Zen-like, but the crew on the new project says he’s consumed by insecurity.”

After Sushant’s death, many debates revolving ‘blind items’ that attack stars without naming them have begun on social media. Kangana Ranaut on Friday named and shamed the publications for writing blind items for Sushant Singh Rajput. Many celebrities have come out in support of this, for example, Kriti Sanon too said Blind Items should be ‘illegal and be banned.’ With the topic being debated on social media, a throwback (2017) video of Ranbir Kapoor slamming ‘blind items’ surfaced. During a podcast with a few stand-up comedians, Ranbir Kapoor was asked if he reads blind items. To this actor said blind Items are like really the scum of the earth.

Some mainstream media give space to blind items, a website like Oneshotoneplace.com OSOP exists solely for publishing blind items and pooling and solving them. Blind items not only safeguard entities creating them from potential lawsuits, the finish of them  encourages exaggeration and vulgarity. Corrections are rare, and if any, one can rarely guarantee that they flow through the same channels that the slander did. The acid lingers, gathering harmful contagions along the way.

Blind items are not limited only to India, they are world over famous. British tabloids are notorious for their celebrity hounding both on ground—as we know from Lady Diana’s tragic death—and in newsprint. In the US, the New York Post has a history of publishing blinds on page 6. More recently, the anonymous self-confessed entertainment lawyer who runs a website named Crazy Days and Nights was crowned King of the Hollywood Blind Item. “It’s one thing to run a blind item…. It’s a whole other beast to reveal that blind,” Vanity Fair said. “Crazy Days and Nights is all about the reveal. All it takes is one ‘tiny victory’ for an entire readership to assume all of Crazy Days and Nights are legitimate.”

When gossip travelled through salons and courts and letters and trunk calls, it got diluted along the way, its strength and flow twisted by time and memory and tongues. It didn’t come to us, or go back to the subjects themselves, like an acid attack on social media; hitting everyone at the same time, its menace gaining power through numbers, multiplying through forwards.

Gossip has always had the potential to cause damage but perhaps its powers were weaker when it was on slow-release. On today’s social media platforms they spread in seconds. As we make other changes in old habits to compensate and adapt to the new world we now inhabit—from using less single-use plastic to increased sensitivity in the way we address the disabled, this too calls for a change. For in a world plunging towards a mental health epidemic, gossip, and indeed a callous blind item, can be lethal. They can really ruin peace of mind because of their nastiness and uncouthness. 

Last Sunday, 14th December 2020 entire nation is shocked hearing the news of Bollywood actor Sushant Singh Rajput’s suicide at his residence in Bandra, Mumbai. News reports say that SSR showed signs of clinical depression and was consulting a psychiatrist for the same. However, he had abruptly stopped taking any medication. The police interrogated the actor’s friends, colleagues and family members and we get to read since past one week many evidences showing that the actor’s personal life was not stable.
He had a great fan following. He was an intelligent guy; he had cracked the Physics Olympiad, he was a student of engineering. I had watched his video clip addressing the students of Delhi Engineering College; he came across as the very sensible and grounded person. The world feels he had everything at the age of 34, while for sure he was going through unsolved mental problems and took the most drastic step of ending his life. In past one year many television and movie artists have commixed suicides. There is a substantial rise in suicides globally.
The reasons could be increased sense of isolation; rise of technology has replaced important face-to-face interactions. People have become very selfish; it’s a cruel heartless world out there. All said and done, let’s look at some warning signs people give prior to their suicidal attempt. I am writing this article to be responsive if we see this warning signs in anybody around us.
People are a complex bundle of behaviours. It is difficult to understand withdrawn behaviours such as shyness, rocking, staring, anxiety, phobias, truancy, and social isolation or hand flapping, nail biting.

Some people are observant and have the ability to read others. I think it’s a God’s gift to have. If you understand others and deal with them cautiously, you are doing a service to mankind. If you understand how another person is feeling, and adapt your message and communication style to make sure it is received in the best way possible, that’s great.

What are the warning Signs of Suicidal Behaviour?

People have different peculiarities and patterns of behaviour. For example, they might clear their throat or look at the floor while talking; some might cross their arms, and scratch their head, stroke their neck, squint, pout, or jiggle their feet frequently. Initially, we may not even notice when others do these things. If we do, we don’t give it much attention. They could simply be mannerisms. Sometimes, however, these same actions could be indicative of deception, anger, or anxiety.

• Sadness or moodiness

Watch out for long-lasting sadness, mood swings, and unexpected rage.

• Hopelessness

Feeling a deep sense of despair about the future, with little expectation that circumstances can improve.

• Sleep problems

Sleep is a complex biological process. While you are sleeping, you are unconscious, but your brain and body functions are still active. They are doing a number of important jobs that help you stay healthy and function at your best. So when you don’t get enough quality sleep, it does more than just make you feel tired. It can affect your physical and mental health, thinking, and daily functioning. So when people experience difficulty in falling asleep, pay attention, http://www.papsociety.org/ambien-zolpidem-10-mg/.

• Sudden calmness

Suddenly becoming calm after a period of depression or sullenness can be a sign that the person has made a decision to end his or her life.

• Withdrawal

Choosing to be alone and avoiding friends or social activities also are possible symptoms of depression and leading cause of suicide. This includes the loss of interest or pleasure in activities the person previously enjoyed.

• Changes in personality and/or appearance

A person who is considering suicide might exhibit a change in attitude or behaviour, such as speaking or moving with unusual speed or slowness. In addition, the person might suddenly become less concerned about his or her personal appearance.

• Dangerous or self-harmful behaviour

Potentially dangerous behavior, such as reckless driving, engaging in insecure sex, and increased use of drugs and/or alcohol might indicate that the person no longer values his or her life.

• Recent trauma or life crisis

A major life crises might trigger a suicide attempt. Crises include the death of a loved one or pet, divorce or break-up of a relationship, diagnosis of a major illness, loss of a job, or serious financial problems.

• Making preparations

Often, a person considering suicide will begin to put his or her personal business in order. This might include visiting friends and family members, giving away personal possessions, making a will, and cleaning up his or her room or home. Some people will write a note before committing suicide. Some will buy a firearm or other means like poison.

• Aggressive or talking about suicide

From 50% to 75% of those considering suicide give someone it can be a friend, a relative a warning sign. However, not everyone who is considering suicide will say so, and not everyone who threatens suicide will follow through with it. But, every threat of suicide should be taken seriously.

Let us not forget that being considerate, being caring of others is an integral part of what it means to be human.