technoculture314-09

Here's a piece from the UK's Sunday Telegraph about the concerns over Facebook (etc.) raised by the head of the Roman Catholics in England and Wales. I don't know what evidence (if any) he is basing his concerns about suicide on (other than the one case cited in the article), or even the claim that Facebook favours 'transient' friendships. I also have problems with the declaration that: "We're losing social skills, the human interaction skills, how to read a person's mood, to read their body language, how to be patient until the moment is right to make or press a point. Too much exclusive use of electronic information dehumanises what is a very, very important part of community life and living together." But, rather uncomfortably, I do find myself sharing some of his apprehensions about the commodification of friendship... hmm, that's for another day, though.