Gossip, as a form of conversation, is a fundamental aspect of human social interaction. R. I. M. Dunbar argues that gossip evolved as a mechanism for bonding social groups, tracing its origins back to social grooming among primates. While gossip is often viewed negatively, it originally referred to communication within close social relationships. Dunbar suggests that gossip is essential for maintaining social cohesion and controlling free riders—individuals who benefit from sociality without contributing. Language evolved to facilitate this process, allowing for more efficient social bonding and information exchange. Studies show that approximately two-thirds of conversation time is devoted to social topics, indicating the importance of gossip in human interactions. The ability to understand others' mental states (theory of mind) is crucial for social cognition, enabling individuals to navigate complex social networks. Language allows for the exchange of information about social networks, which is vital for maintaining large, cohesive groups. The free rider problem highlights the need for mechanisms like gossip to ensure fair social cooperation. Dunbar concludes that gossip is central to human sociality, as it enables the maintenance of social relationships and the functioning of large, complex societies. The cognitive demands of gossip are a key factor in the evolution of large human brains.Gossip, as a form of conversation, is a fundamental aspect of human social interaction. R. I. M. Dunbar argues that gossip evolved as a mechanism for bonding social groups, tracing its origins back to social grooming among primates. While gossip is often viewed negatively, it originally referred to communication within close social relationships. Dunbar suggests that gossip is essential for maintaining social cohesion and controlling free riders—individuals who benefit from sociality without contributing. Language evolved to facilitate this process, allowing for more efficient social bonding and information exchange. Studies show that approximately two-thirds of conversation time is devoted to social topics, indicating the importance of gossip in human interactions. The ability to understand others' mental states (theory of mind) is crucial for social cognition, enabling individuals to navigate complex social networks. Language allows for the exchange of information about social networks, which is vital for maintaining large, cohesive groups. The free rider problem highlights the need for mechanisms like gossip to ensure fair social cooperation. Dunbar concludes that gossip is central to human sociality, as it enables the maintenance of social relationships and the functioning of large, complex societies. The cognitive demands of gossip are a key factor in the evolution of large human brains.