That’s what social media is capable of. I’ve made strong, lasting friendships in both New York City and Boston. “Lasting” is the key word. All of these friends are chasing their dreams. And I encourage that. However, there are times when the chase leads them to distant places. So they go. And the ever so dreamy chase ensues while our friendship freezes.

Think back 30 years ago, when the internet wasn't even even a thing. Back then, if two friends were separated by dream-chasing instincts, their amiable relationship would shiver and crawl into a hyperbaric chamber.

Nowadays, the only reasons to shiver are a cold breeze and Donald Trump. And not in that order.

The point is that even as my friends think about taking entirely new life turns, we have the ability to remain in contact. It’s the blessing of eternal connectivity through social media and the in-ter-net.

With every blessing, however, there is a curse.

The curse, in this case, is one we know all too well. It’s the reason my phone is the first thing I pick up in the morning and the last I put down at night. It’s the reason I can’t go to the bathroom without my qwerty keyboard companion in my backpocket. It’s the reason walking and texting turns me into a human juggernaut on every city sidewalk. It’s the reason my parents named me Tall, Dark and Digital.

Tis the addiction to faux popularity.

Seriously, it’s a problem. You’ll find this blog post on my Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Self promotion has become a stomach-turning norm in millennial culture. But it hurts so good. Is my blog post at 11 likes on Insta yet? Is it? IS IT?

The question I ask myself is, “Does the blessing outweigh the curse”? This question is applicable to more than just technology. For example, does the blessing of having an intensely affectionate - but restricting - family outweigh the curse of not exploring more of the world independently?

For now, I’ll just continue believing that a reasonable answer will present itself. In the meantime, the in-ter-net has helped me find a social media silver lining. Although some of my friends are gone, they’re surely not forgotten.