The Headlines

One says "Harrison Jr follows Mona to former suitor's room, kills self". And what is the press supposed to write? All of that information is true! The reporter/ editor or whoever wrote it didn't know that anything going on between Mona and Riley was all in Bob's mind. And although it's a movie, I don't find the headline hyped up at all, it seems a fairly typical blurb.

And, not being able to read the story under the headlines (I wonder what the percentage of readers in real life either don't bother reading beneath the headline, or only remembering the headline), I can't say if the story sorted out the real situation, or was even able to. Hell, the press likely wouldn't even be able to get at the truth.

So who's to blame for "misunderstandings" and then the establishment of innuendo and rumor? Why, people who WANT to believe the worst, or most lurid details of any occurrence between private citizens made public, of course! Every situation is different, but it comes down to A) basic reading comprehension (I.e., What are the FACTS?) and B) the human need to believe the worst and be the one who carries the tale. I don't think most people, in this respect, ever grow out of their high school personae. It's thrilling to excite people with stories, true or not. And it's fun for some (most?) to feel they're above others, especially if they'd previous perceived those in question higher than them in a social-ladder respect.

Just some ramblings that came to mind thinking about Reckless and Jean Harlow's life and human cruelty in general.