Gossip on the Enterprise

Chapel: “Where is Nyota?” Ortegas:” What do you think? Working.” Chapel: “Yes, that suits her.” Ortegas: “She didn’t even want to come to the film night on Friday night. (To Boimler) You should come if you’re still there on Friday.” Boimler: “Does this have anything to do with Captain Pike’s birthday?” Chapel: “It’s his birthday?” Ortegas: “How do you know that?” Boimler: “Because his birthday is a public holiday in the future.” Conversation between Boimler, Chapel and Ortegas (Strange New Worlds, season 2, episode 7).

Informal communication is part of the working world and also takes place on the Enterprise. Spontaneous conversations arise due to a social need and support social cohesion. On the Enterprise, these short sequences also serve to show viewers the characters’ personalities and their interpersonal relationships. Gossip is mainly seen in a negative light, but what function does gossip actually have? What is gossiped about on the Enterprise? What is positive gossip and where is the boundary to negative gossip? We use examples to discuss these questions and ask ourselves how we deal with gossip in our everyday lives.