[Xichekolas]

> But now I’m down to the lucky 35, I can speak more freely about my personal life

I see my "lucky 35" in real life quite often, and can tell them personal things in person, where it becomes a conversation. I'm not sure why I would ever need to share personal things online.

After all, the reason people become "online friends" to begin with is that you don't see that person enough in real life to maintain a friendship. If you really need to tell one of these pseudo-friends (or far-away family) something personal, there are many avenues for that, including email and the phone.

[kaiuhl]

What you're describing is personal choice to not use social networks as a form of primary communication.

I know too many people in Portland to keep in touch with them all in person, via phone, or email, but Facebook is a great way to see the great stuff people are doing with their lives and share mine.

Your definition of friend may be weekly face time, but for many that live in an urban setting, it's simply impossible. Doesn't make them any less of a friend, though.

[Xichekolas]

Maybe we have different definitions of 'personal'. I was talking about posting things about your relationship status or medical conditions... the only people I would tell that stuff to anyway are the "lucky 35". I'm not saying avoid social networking all together. Facebook is, like you said, great for keeping up with acquaintances. But you don't share personal stuff with acquaintances anyway.