Pondering Facebook (and many other things)

The following is drawn from the pages of my journal a couple of weeks ago, so it's rough and a bit rambling. More thoughts on the subject may be forthcoming, and I would especially appreciate hearing yours.

We had a lengthy conversation yesterday about Facebook [...] It left me with a lot to think about, and since certain people are expecting that I will think about it, so on this flight from Memphis to Milwaukee, that is what I intend to do.

We are creating this virtual universe, feeling like we are more connected than ever, enjoying the many wonders of technology and globalization... but have instant messaging and text messaging and now Facebook made our relationships any deeper, or have they simply enabled us to maintain countless shallow relationships that falsely satiate our hunger for deep connections and true intimacy?

Is virtual community true community? I can keep people at arm's length, choose to let a message sit in my inbox indefinitely, tailor my profile so that the world only knows what I want to tell.

Our mobile society has made leaving home a rite of passage - and there is something noble and adventurous about moving far away - something that so many of us have found attractive and inviting. We look at those who stay close to home as provincial, and we are constantly asking ourselves, "Where to next?" We are afraid to make a commitment to a job or a school or a community or a church - something better might come along, or we might just get tired of it.

There is a sense of pride in having a diverse group of friends in diverse places - though when it comes down to it I think most of us long to just spend our time with the likes of Monica, Joey, Ross and the gang at Central Perk. Having so many friends and family members scattered abroad creates relationships that are maintained on a convenience-basis, and decreases the number of truly loving influences we encounter in our everyday lives.

What good is Facebook? It serves some practical purposes - reminding me of people's birthdays, allowing me to get their contact information or find websites where they're blogging. I can see pictures of events I've been a part of or catch up on things I missed. I can generally keep tabs on what people are doing (which certainly borders on stalking, provides fuel for sinful gossip and opens the door for what easily becomes a hugely unprofitable waste of time). I can also get in touch with people quickly and easily - but doesn't that more often than not simply happen through some pretty empty interactions? Sure, the witty comment posted on a good friend's Facebook wall is fun, but does the quick "how's it going?" or worse yet "We should talk soon!" to someone you haven't talked to in years or someone whom you really should call actually accomplish anything? And why on earth is it so important for me to know what's going on in [random long-lost elementary school classmate]'s life?

But it's not just about Facebook [...] Truly living in community with people means that we must bear with one another in love - there must be patience with flaws and forgiveness of faults, there must be a dying to self for the sake of others. When many of our relationships consist of seeing each other a time or two a month, or just talking on the phone every several weeks, our love for one another cannot necessarily be tried, tested, have the chance to grow [...]

Scripture certainly doesn't suggest that we ought to aspire to independence. On the contrary, we are called to love sacrificially and to depend on one another:

For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness. Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight. Romans 12:4-16

And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. And all who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. Acts 2:42-45

And of course - I Corinthians 13

Here end my thoughts for the day - now it is your turn. What are your thoughts on Facebook, friendship, community, love, and how it all relates to the the virtual reality where we find ourselves? Please post a comment here (this doubles as a shameless ploy to find out who is actually reading this blog).