A rumor is an unverified piece of information or gossip that is spread among people. Rumors can be harmful because they can create confusion, misinformation, and uncertainty. They can also damage someone's reputation or cause problems in relationships and crews.

One reason that rumors can be damaging is that they often spread quickly and widely through social media platform like Highrise and other channels of communication. This can make it difficult to stop the spread of a rumor or to correct the misinformation that it contains.

Another reason that rumors can be harmful is that they can create a negative perception of someone or something, even if there is no basis in fact. This can lead to negative consequences for the person or thing that is the subject of the rumor, such as loss of reputation, damage to relationships, or financial harm.

It is important to be cautious about spreading rumors and to verify the accuracy of information before sharing it with others.

Here are some questions you can ask yourself to help determine if something is a rumor:

1. Where did you hear this information from? Can you provide a reliable source?
2. Has this information been independently verified by other sources? Or have you verified it with the person it is pertaining to?
3. Does this information seem plausible, or does it seem too good (or too bad) to be true?
4. Is the person who told you this information a reliable source of information?
5. Are there any discrepancies or inconsistencies in the information you have received