Today, I spoke to one of my batchmates from my MBA days. She has moved to NY and I just recently got in touch with her through what else but Facebook. We got chatting and I realized that here is this gem of a person, I hardly knew when in college. Back then, we stuck with a group of friends and I can count on my fingers those with whom I had some intense conversations or in short, those whom I knew personally.
Really, for all the demonizing of Social Networking and it being a waste of time, I would like to say it is quite the contrary. Facebook is the only place where I have been able to locate some of my very old friends whom I would not even be able to recognize if I passed them on the street. I have got in touch with so many of school friends and really, the feeling is so wonderful. To see one’s friends and how their lives have changed and evolved is quite an amazing experience. To share their happiness through what they write, how they feel and the pictures they post. The best part is that it gives you a medium where you feel sort of connected with everyone without actually talking with them everyday. You also get rid of that inertia or that initial hesitation to pick up the pieces or reconnect. It has been so much fun pinging new friends and old, suddenly discovering one day that yes, this one is also on Facebook and I hope that I get to meet more and more of my lost and forgotten friends. I think it is a true boon and I genuinely mean that. May the tribe of friends multiply and grow.