My Facebook friends
Connected but lonely
Jul 15, 2008
by L. Gregory Jones
With one child in college and two teenagers at home, I learned vicariously about “being friended” and “facebooking.” My kids didn’t want me to join Facebook, but relented when I told them that our seminary students were forming groups on Facebook and inviting me to participate. I entered a new universe.
Little did I know how often I would be friended, or how fun it would be to discover “friend requests” in my Status Update section. I’m still a novice, but I have 181 online friends. (Facebook has recently instituted a cap of 5,000 friends per account.)
Facebook keeps me in touch with people in interesting ways. I reconnect with high school friends; I have an easier time keeping up with birthdays; I receive updates about people I know. This morning, for example, I learned through Facebook that one of our graduates was ordained last night. I was able promptly to send her a message of congratulations.
Little did I know how often I would be friended, or how fun it would be to discover “friend requests” in my Status Update section. I’m still a novice, but I have 181 online friends. (Facebook has recently instituted a cap of 5,000 friends per account.)
Facebook keeps me in touch with people in interesting ways. I reconnect with high school friends; I have an easier time keeping up with birthdays; I receive updates about people I know. This morning, for example, I learned through Facebook that one of our graduates was ordained last night. I was able promptly to send her a message of congratulations.
This article is available to subscribers only. Please subscribe for full access—subscriptions begin at $4.95. Already have an online account? Log in now. Already a print subscriber? Create an online account for no additional cost.
Tags:
