Author’s Note: Truthfully, this sounds like a college course in the making…if it doesn’t exist already…

We’ve all called people our friends when deep down we knew that they wouldn’t be there when we needed them. How do you determine friendship with todays seemingly endless connectivity? Can someone still be your friend even if you haven’t communicated with him or her in years?

Here is anecdote that supports the reflection of the meaning of friendship:

Several weeks ago, an acquaintance, if that, although a confirmable Facebook friend, said we were “friends.” I haven’t had a conversation with him beyond three exchanges in many months. In fact, we had only been around each other in the company of my “friend” who is his co-worker. Now, just because you are a colleague of a “friend” doesn’t make us buddies. We don’t hang out. I don’t regularly or even occasionally talk to you, nor do I have your phone number. So what makes you think we are “friends?”

Are we “friends” because a social network deemed our connection on the same playing field as friendship? If so…that’s whack.

I’d love to hear other opinions on this. What is friendship in the post-modern-social-network saturated world? In your opinion, are we friends and why? What makes a friendship?

Cheers,

G

Photo Credit: jurvetson