Nyel is too kind to give me a bad time about my FaceBook proclivities —  (penchants that he doesn’t share).  He just remains silent but I know that deep in his heart he likes to hear my “reports” about what our friends are up to, what they are saying, what we are missing.  I make no bones about it.  Our recent blackout due to CenturyTel’s ineptness, put me in touch with my feelings about the internet and, especially FB, in a big way.

I missed Frank Lehn’s reasoned reactions to so many things and Keith Cox’s amazing historical photos.  I missed Mark Peterson’s pithy, punny comments.  I missed Stephanie’s connections with the down-and-dirty-everyday-stuff.  I missed my Marta and Charlie’s serious, thoughtful commentaries on the Big Issues of the here-and-now, and I missed so, so many people’s kind comments on whatever I happened to be “on” about.  Karin Marasko surprised me by writing that she was worried about us… Bless her!…   I missed Brigid Brigid Byrne who loves me no matter what, and I even missed my friends who scold me about this or that —

Which reminds me of a thought I had before we were up and running again.  I think that lately (probably since the sheltering began) FaceBookers are more apt to share their strong opinions and be critical of others than they have in the past.  Not everyone and not all the time — but enough to notice.

Is it because, in the normal course of events, we have had more opportunities to speak our minds in person and leave FaceBook for the more benign interactions?  Or is it because we have more time now to inform ourselves about what’s happening beyond our comfort zone and we are feeling the need to weigh in?

I find myself wondering if putting our strong opinions “out there” helps inform others or creates more divisiveness.   Are we keeping open minds or are we digging our heels in?  Once we’ve put an opinion in writing, does it quickly morph into a truism in our minds or is it open for debate?  Does “social media” make it easier to express the thoughts we wouldn’t otherwise say to “just anyone.”  And, if so, is that a good thing or a bad thing?

It’s amazing where a few days off-line leads… especially during this time of  continued sheltering for old folks.  It wasn’t nearly as restful as it should have been.