I was reading a novel last week (okay, okay, a "graphic novel"), and in it one senior citizen calls the other. They haven't talked in like 20 years. But her phone number is the same, and he just called her.

That's how it was back then. Everyone kept the same number. We don't now. I think social networks are going to be the intermediary of the future. LIke Facebook (or whoever ultimately wins) will be how we call up that person from 20 years ago we never need to talk to except when our mutual friend dies or we can't remember the name of our fourth grade teacher or we need to track down a 3rd old friend. We don't need to be actively communicating with them to friend them, any more than those two senior citizens in that novel had to talk on the phone every day.

I think of it as more of a self-creating directory. In that sense, it becomes very useful.

ah but what's interesting about FB is that it's both the self-creating directory and the phone.

and increasingly you don't really have to decide _why_ to friend people (connect with old friends or collect creepy porcelain dolls) bc you can just tweak the settings, e.g. on your feed. keep the friends in the front of the cabinet and the creepy dolls in the back, and reach for whoever you want depending on the circumstances...

I can think of one interesting person that you've connected with on FB at the very least. Although, on some days I do feel like a bit like a porcelain doll. It's quite oft-putting. You're job looks so interesting. I am filled with porcelain jealousy. Am I stalking you? im not quite sure. Alright, back to the curio cabinent. Peace.

I had so many FB friends that over time it sort of mimicked real life. In other words, i forgot i was even digitally connected with most of them. Then I woke up one morning and banished them all! (well, a lot of them)

Wow, totally nailed it on the head. I get so many requests from people that I went to high school with but never talked to or hung out with. I truly don't understand why they try friending me. Then I get these requests from people who I have never known and they happened to be friends with one of my friends and I guess they are just trying to win the FB Friend race or something. Usually these requests sit there for atleast a week. Sometimes I deny, sometimes I accept. I usually accept if I am in a friendly mood and don't want anyone to be offended. Oh and the whole FB recommending thing hasn't help either!