If spreading falsehoods is actually punished, informal social networks might not have enough raw material to work with to maintain their structure. I suspect s

If spreading falsehoods is actually punished, informal social networks might not have enough raw material to work with to maintain their structure. I suspect spreading nonsense is like regular exercise for social groups, helping them remain fit in case they need to be put to use for some real purpose (like, say, unseating the mayor in a scandal).