I was thinking the other day about friendships, and how we keep in touch with each other. I know that I pretty much talk to my best friend all day on google chat, in addition to emails, phone calls and seeing each other at least once a week. Other times I have multiple friends that get on a listserv together and exchange lengthy (sometimes 75-100+ threads) emails back and forth all day. How many mass emails have you received announcing a new job, moving, an engagement or new baby? What about mass facebook and myspace bulletins and messages?

Does this increased frequency of conversation make for better friends? Are we all closer to our friends now than say twenty-plus years ago when keeping in touch consisted of an occasional phone call and visit?

Constant interaction has its good and bad points, it can both marginalize relationships, and also make them stronger. Having a conversation over IM or email however, is no substitution for the nuances that come from personal interaction. But, in this busy and fast-paced, instant gratification life…maybe the easier it is to keep in touch, the better your relationships will be.