Is Facebook Killing Real World Social Interaction?

UPDATE: Some really interesting conversation about this is taking place in the comments. Anyone else who has an opinion, please chime in!

I have stated a few times that without Facebook I probably wouldn’t still be in contact with half of the people I currently am from college and high school. It provides an easy and informal way to stay up to date with friends.

Despite this, I sometimes just can’t comprehend the way that some people interact with Facebook. Take for example this post I found on someone’s wall readable to hudreds of people:

“[Name],
Dont forget to always look on the bright side….
I will do anything I can to make you the happiest woman I know. You and I can do anything if we put our minds to it, and before you know it, we will be where we belong just livin it up together…
i love you so much”

Why in the world would anyone ever post such a private message knowing that hundreds of people will likely read it? Birthday messages, asking someone out on a date, engagement announcements and of course the dreaded “Facebook break-up”, are common uses.

After talking to younger cousins who entered college with a Facebook account, I found that this type of communication on facebook is even bigger among their crowd. In my opinion, a lot of these types of conversations are things that are personal, and should therefore be done in person (or at least over the phone).

Do you agree while Facebook is a great communication tool, it is not an acceptable substitute for real world interaction? Or am I just becoming an out-dated old fart?

[tags]Social Networking, Social Network, Online Communities, Facebook, Relationships, Networking, Brian Balfour[/tags]