Social networks have really caught up steam in past three years shrinking the distances and groups, bringing people closer than they ever were. But that's where I question whether the social networks are really bringing people closer or are they really just doing what they are named after - that they are making people more social. I am not an avid social network user, actually, I never login to any social network inspite of having accounts. Friends as facebook calls them are more like business contacts or relatives. It is also interesting to see that if someone else adds a friend, I come to know of that. I think that with the social networks, people are starting to have lesser friends than they ever did but they continue to believe that there are friends out there for them. Overall, it is promoting human interaction but in non-conventional ways and I am not sure if we feel the warmth of friendship those ways. They are way overused because of the novelty factor. For e.g. when someone sends a birthday wish, it becomes a virtual birthday fest quickly but in reality, people dont call and talk to the person to avoid wasting time.
But I strongly feel social networks are here to stay. They have become a vital part of our existence in past few years. We can now live in the woods and be connected to thousands of people on real time basis. Just imagine if all of your facebook friends decided to physically meet you and share dinner - you would be figuring your way out.