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[el_bandito30]

I read an article on the NY Times website today about "ambient awareness" - the sociological term for Facebook's effect on social dynamics. Apparently there is now a phenomenon called "Twitter," which is basically the Facebook status update turned into a self-sustained concept. I encourage you to read as much of the article as you have patience for

Comments

[jazzcat7]

Interesting article. I'm skeptical about whether or not status updates like that actually force one to reflect more profoundly or objectively upon one's own life, at least for the most part. For most people, including myself, it just becomes something of a habit, to be attended to and then ignored. I also think it's ridiculous to keep track of people that carefully online. I find that I only pay attention to status updates of people I'm close to or people I would like to become closer to. Particularly being a long distance away from those I care about, it's a useful tool for keeping track of everyone and letting you guys know how I'm doing

[el_bandito30]

Certainly Facebook etc. are useful tools. So are most things computer-related, but it's awfully easy to let the tools become a lifestyle, and apparently I wasn't born with enough self-control to avoid that

[ext_121930]

Thanks for the props. Me and Hendrick Hertzberg? I wish.

The thing I like most about Facebook is its revival of the epigram as a literary genre. I am speaking, of course, about the status line.

This may sound like strange advice but, as for losing touch with people, don't worry about it. We are supposed to lose and gain people throughout our lives. Facebook makes normal friend turnover impossible. Do we really need all of our high school classmates to be a click away when we turn fifty? Letting go of attachments that we have grown out of is as important as making new friends.

Jeff Hussein Strabone