I think Facebook requires another look at what "connected-ness" means.
My own contrarian view is that it turns others into "virtual" people. In staying "connected" via social networking media, one need never smell, touch, truly interact on the fly, nor even "see" the real animal. We are able to choose words within a pretty limited set of emotional states in an essentially superficial way.
If we really care about "friends, distant relatives, etc.", we need to hug or shake hands from time to time; to smell and touch and interact with intimacy and physical proximity. Any other kind of connection is tenuous at best. Furthermore, at least to me, the sharing of the latest minutiae of ordinary life is of no interest whatever outside of personal space, or even, ususally, within it. I put up with most of it for its social value only in more intimate and personal contact.
At least a physically real letter takes some effort, can be touched - and can smell of cachet - or the paper can have an interesting texture. Emails are more ephemeral, but can be addressed directly to the intended recipient, convey meaning in depth, and don't open up the realm of personal privacy so much, which I for one greatly prize.
Facebook seems to me to be an essentially recreational time-suck. O.k., I guess for those who enjoy it. If its use can be limited to business and professional purposes, I can see some value. That would be all I'd have time for.
-------------------------------------------
Gary Collins AIA
Principal
Gary R. Collins, AIA
Jacksonville OR
-------------------------------------------