Getting Used to Facebook

Well over a year ago, I joined Facebook since someone told me it was a great place to network. However, after signing up and logging on a few times, I just didn’t experience that. Then, a couple of months ago my cousin found me on it and “friended” me. Apparently, lots of my cousins used it as a form of communication. It’s great to stay in touch, especially after my cousin’s nephew had been seriously hurt; it was a smart way to keep everyone informed of this little one’s progress. And, thankfully, there was progress. Still, a mass email could have done the same, I suppose.

What I don’t quite get is the constant entries of “so and so is driving the kids to school” or “so and so is glad the work week is almost over.” Because I look at Facebook as a way to network as a freelance writer, I’m missing something with these little missives. Maybe, though, it is a place for people to remind each other that they are still around and not to be forgotten. As someone who works independently, I suppose I understand that. Some days I don’t talk to a single soul for hours, other than email exchanges. Then again, Facebook is a cursory exchange of remember me, remember me! Admittedly, I have one friend that I “friended” since I am trying to get her to learn how to navigate the Internet more. She responded by writing on my wall that she didn’t really understand the difference between Facebook or just sending an email. Remember when we didn’t understand the benefits of email versus picking up the phone and dialing?
Perhaps it’s just all a matter of evolving, if one can call it that.