>> Facebook allows me to stay connected to people I rarely see. >If you rarely see them or interact, how much true value are you gaining other than an abstract

>> Facebook allows me to stay connected to people I rarely see. >If you rarely see them or interact, how much true value are you gaining other than an abstract sense of nostalgia. In short - a lot. Add to that the fact that people travel - and I do pretty often - and Facebook is currently the best tool to meet people you know in faraway places. I live in California, and last time I traveled to Germany, I got to meet two of my friends who live NY there who just happened to be there for an occasion (work/conference travel). I wouldn't have thought to notify them personally in advance, and neither would they. Posting "Hey, I'm at (location)" on FB is by far the easiest way to go about it.