The trouble with gossip

I am witnessing a phenomena I don't know how to classify. It is something I have definitely fallen prey to, perhaps more than I even realize. It's not gossip, although I do that sometimes. It's modeling myself after gossip. I have found that over time we develop such a hunger for attention that we sacrifice our own image for this attention. I really do think negative attention is a problem. I have listened countless times to people gossiping about the new teen pregnancy or drug addict. People always seem so concerned about those people. Is it a side effect to become that new piece of gossip for the attention? I think it is. I think we as humans crave attention so much that we follow in the footsteps of those who are discussed. I mean, if all you hear about as a kid is how good certain people are, doesn't that make you want to be like them? Does it work the same way in the other direction? Obviously, this is not universal. If your self worth is properly developed, you probably won't have that attention seeking desire. But what about kids who never developed a self worth properly? I don't think the problem with today's teens is necessarily an immaturity from being spoiled, although that is definitely one of the elements. I think maybe the obsession with success is undermining the next generation, causing us to look for emotional fulfillment wherever we can. Maybe I'm just restating what hundreds of developmental psychologists have already studied, but I don't know those psychologists, and I honestly think no one would listen to someone with a degree. They were obviously brainwashed..... *facepalm* I need to sleep. This much philosophizing is making me exhausted... :)