Isn't technology great?

I have been informed that the way of the world is blogging and facebook, so I am being brought up to speed. Yes, I now have both a blog and a facebook page - both of which are basically blank. In just a few short weeks however, I anticipate them being filled with articles and images that anyone in the world can review.

The obvious question is, "Is that a good thing?"

I mean, why would anyone be interested in reviewing pictures or thoughts from me? And if in fact they are, for what reason?

Is this new technology the means by which we will keep track of each other? The means by which we will relate with one another? The method by which we will communicate our passions, our goals, our successes and our failures, our likes and dislikes, our opinions...?

It seems to me that as I sit here and write these thoughts, that there is little risk of saying whatever I would like, and I fear very little reprise as I assume it will not be read anyway. However, Tomatu in Zimbabwe or Song Lee in Singapore or John Smith in Philadelphia may have typed in the word "technology" on their search engine and they end up reading thoughts from some guy in Tennessee.

I wonder if this amazing tool of internet blogs and communication can be successful in developing real relationship, or if it hinders our ability to interact with others in a real way. Real relationship involves risk. Real relationship involves work. Real relationship involves vulnerability. Real relationship involves honesty that might be painful. Can these necessities of real relationship be met by electronic interaction?

On the contrary, psuedo-relationship requires very little reality, and can flourish without the work required for real relationship. However, what are the products of psuedo versus real relationships? Real relationship produces true friendships -psuedo-relationship produces false friendships. Real relationship produces security within the friendship - psuedo-relationship produces security regardless of the friendship. Real relationship produces interconnectedness of lives and stories - psuedo-relationship produces connectedness apart from other relationships.

I love what technology allows us to do. I love the ease at which we can reconnect with people and places that have played a key role in our development. I love the simplicity of hunting down the information that I desire as a result of being part of the "google" generation. But the questions must be posed - At what point does the latest and greatest technological advances stop helping me relate to others, and begin isolating me from others?

I am not certain that question has been answered - and probably by most not even asked.