Fakebook

So, I've been off of facebook for a couple of months now and the feeling is great! I feel free and liberated! I think I finally broke my addiction, but it took a few tries. This whole online stuff, including smart phones, email and texting has just gotten out of hand. More excuses for people to think they are connecting but the reality is, they are not. So, Facebook just had to go. My friend, Cedric, said to his wife, Caroline (who was strong and never got on FB to begin with), "OMG, where's Angela? She's gone!" Puzzled, Caroline replied, "Gone? Gone where? I just saw her yesterday."

Email & texting are just as bad. They give people an excuse not to connect personally. I find people create these online personas and say things via text or email they would never say in person. I guess that might be good if you are a social misfit, but one would hope all of us would like to emotionally advance past the awkward teenage years. How many times have you seen people out to dinner, texting on their iPhones and not talking to each other? I do admit texting is useful if you have a teenager, since they don't communicate any other way. I mean, this is what our kids are growing up with! Do other parents worry their child will not develop appropriate social skills?  I sometimes wonder how far society really has come on an emotional, social and communication (I'm talking real, in person communication!) level with all these 'advanced technologies'.  I seriously had to draw the line when my son texted me from bed asking for something to drink.

So, I'm staying on the wagon this time. I would rather see you in person or talk to you on the phone, if you are my friend, otherwise, you are just a number.