I posted a "gentle heads-up" on my Facebook page to announce that I’m slowly weeding out "friends" I don’t "know" or at least have some connection with. As I put it:

"I joined fb four years ago and initially said yes to every request. But now I want to limit my friends to those with whom I have some meaningful connection, either online or off."

Oops. Not clear enough. Three people I "know" immediately jumped on and commented that they understood "weeding out" and wouldn’t mind if I took them off my list. I quickly assured them that they’re not on the "pruning" list. (Can’t bring myself to say "de-friend" - horrid expression.)

So what does "know" mean?

So what does "know" mean? I, er, "know" when I "don’t know" someone. It means I see their profile pic and name and neither rings any bells. I draw a blank.

And truthfully, many of my fb friends are more "acquaintances" than friends. But that’s OK. I "know" them. They may be a longtime newsletter subscriber, or we’ve interacted on Twitter or via a Facebook group or on this blog.

And of course many of my "friends" are people I’ve met and connected with IRL at a conference or other event. I "know" them. And I "know" every far-flung cousin in my large, extended family, promise.

Can you help define "know"??

Without resorting to the definition of pornography - I know it when I see it - there must be a better way to explain what it means to "know" someone. And thereby justify weeding out Facebook "friends" with whom I have little or no connection.

Yours in obfuscatory language,

- D

This was originally posted to Posterous.

Flickr image above courtesy of Dan Taylor.

 

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