Connecting the Community

Each time we log onto Facebook or any social networking site, we are observing the value of people through vast amounts of information, interactions, and especially pictures. Pictures of family, friends, interests, etc. We can associate even a stranger as a whole person who lives a full life; involved, giving, friendly, interested, loved. In fact, increased compassion and understanding for humanity is being created by Facebook and other social networking sites.

To illustrate, we recently had a tragedy in our local community where a fellow soccer coach died suddenly on the soccer field while coaching his young team. News of this tragedy spread immediately through texts, and posts on the community blog. Once the name of the individual was released, I was prompted to go out to Facebook, search, and see for myself who this individual was. What I found was a complete person, not just an anonymous stranger. This immediate connection to a member of my community was made specifically through the power of social networking. Pictures of this wife and family, daily interactions, vacations, interests, accomplishments, connections to local community, an online legacy. This person in a sense was no longer a stranger, but brought a greater sense of compassion for what his family and friends were going through with this terrible loss.

If I can be left with a sense of connection to a perfect stranger through small bits of information, how would this increased visibility effect those who I interact with every day. How could understanding someone's interests, and especially values, help with collaboratively accomplishing great things in the work place or community. Is social networking enriching our sense of humanity?