So does anyone really have 4000 friends? And I mean friends who would give you a ride or invite you to lunch – maybe even help you out financially if you were in a tight spot?
I guess it’s a way to express ourselves socially – and do it in a way that we might not do otherwise – and to feel good that we’re getting positive responses; in some cases, getting a response – period. It’s certainly a way to stay in contact with many people at once. You can have all these network branches and groups of people from former jobs or clubs or organizations, but then you lose the personal touch since you’re communicating to a larger audience.
One of the down sides to all this social media and electronic chatter is that we’re losing our ability to communicate verbally and in person. People don’t make eye contact anymore. It was almost comical, I saw this family of 4 at a local eatery, and all 4 were busy looking at their cell phones, probably texting or checking e-mails or watching videos. They spoke a little when the food arrived and then swiftly returned to their electronic worlds.
Then too, it can be addicting. Until recently, I was managing 7 pages of social media. It seemed I was on there every waking moment, so I took down several pages after I came to a startling realization – I don’t have 4000 friends. I know people who know people who know people and many of those people like to criticize your every word.
The way I see it, if you can count your true friends on one hand, consider it a blessing. And when counting your blessings, don’t forget to count your family and friends twice. 🙂 P.W.
