A note about Facebook and Twitter.

I have a Facebook page which amuses me as I have made it a mission to make "friends" with everyone around the world who has my name. L.R. has a Twitter page as well. This, too, amuses me and gives me the chance to blurt out whatever I want and - I thought - would drive traffic here. It has to a degree.

Facebook and Twitter are fascinating sideshows that have a place - as sideshows. It is very important to know this: "Virtual Community" is pretty much oxymoronic. If a community is virtual it is not a community. Facebook and Twitter are a way of communicating with people while remaining alone.

I expect in the next few years social networking sites will fade. Not because people don't like or enjoy them - but because real networking - and real communities - will reemerge.