technology...it's making us happier right?

We live in the age of technology right? It is supposed to make life easier, make us more social, more efficient...more happy too, right?

I don't think so.

I heard a statistic on the radio, "They have found that if you have ____ number of "friends" on facebook you are more likely to be depressed." Guess...700, 1,000?

No...just 300 friends. If you have a facebook account and you aren't either of my parents than you probably have more than 300 friends - it's not that hard. And I can see why the statistic has some weight to it. They stated the reasons being that you are constantly viewing what others are doing in their lives - usually positive and wonderful things that they want everyone to know about. Very few people post horrible or boring activities (well a lot of my facebook friends seem to) but there are a ton of "my husband just bought me a dozen roses," "Date night," "I just bought a new car," "Had the best girls night out with my favorite friends." I guess reading that everyday from 300 people would make a person a little blue.

But it's not just facebook that has got me thinking. It's texting. The new form of carrying on a friendship.

Now a-days when you see someone (I mean actually see the person in real life in front of you) they will often start in with, "did you read what I posted on facebook? or if not they will start the conversation out with asking you about something you posted concerning your crazy dog or sick kid last week. But lets say you don't see the person - because honestly how many of us actually SEE any of our friends that often? Then you do what everyone in the country does...you text them.

Texting is the new way to communicate. Letter writing? I'm sorry what is that? Does anyone even buy stamps anymore? Then there is e-mailing - that is usually resorted to for "catching up" or "letting someone know what you really think about them at the moment" but for staying in touch with friends on a daily/weekly basis...it comes down to texting.

No one calls anymore. You have a thought pop in your head about someone...text them.

You got a quick question...text them.

You want to let a friend know you miss them...text them - God forbid you actually dial their number and push send to make an actual voice connection and let them HEAR that you miss them - no, you write in shorthand, "tnking abt u. Need to get 2gather soon - call me!" and push send message. And it goes back and forth a few times until a child needs you or the stop light turns green or the doctor calls you back to the room. And life continues.

I confess there have been times in my life where I had a quite moment (literally a moment) and I picked up my phone and texted multiple friends telling them I missed them, wondering how they were, reminding them we should make time to talk. Then waited excitedly for the bing of my phone to show that someone out there was taking the time to write a quick note back in agreement. What a pitiful social life.

My theory is that people will soon forget how to have conversations. We will begin to talk in shorthand and not know how to make eye contact. We will just resort to sitting around a dinner table and texting each other. It's quicker right and then everyone can say what they want without having to wait too long for anyone else to talk. Get to the point...not too many details...

It's sad. It can be lonely I humbly admit. I miss long conversations with girlfriends on the phone or more importantly sitting around a table at McDonalds and talking while the kids ran around the playground. We are growing up I guess...life is getting too busy...and besides we always have technology to stay in touch.