Ruminations on Reunions in a Social World
My 10-year high school reunion was last weekend. With six months of plans culminating in a one-night nostalgia-fest, I can’t help but think, “How were school reunions successfully organized before Facebook?” The ease at which my class was able to find 300 of our 500 classmates was amazing, and it was all done through Facebook.
The ease of group communication did come with some challenges, though. Primarily this: all people have opinions and my classmates weren’t afraid to share theirs. It is impossible to please 300 people when planning a gathering. Even so, the event went on …
Mingling over a cocktails, I found conversations beginning with “Congratulations on passing the bar exam!” or “Your new baby is beautiful!” rather than the bland “So what have you been up to lately?” It was clear that social media had affected the reunion from more than just a logistical standpoint.
Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, et al. have overhauled the way we interact at reunions by providing instant conversation fodder. I’m not talking about the weather but more substantive topics, such as personal achievements, life-changing events or even a shared “LOL.” Social media allowed my class to connect on a deeper level than we might have if our reunion occurred just 10 years earlier.
Not every one of my Class of ‘01 comrades agrees with the above opinion. In fact, we are a bit polarized on the topic. While I believe social media allowed for a deeper human connection, my friend Karen* feels that social media has made reunions unnecessary. She remarked, “Why should I go to the reunion? I know what everyone is doing from being on Facebook, and I can easily get in touch with anyone who I have a desire to converse with.”
While Karen may have a good point, I think there is something to be said for spontaneous face-to-face interactions with old friends and foes. These interactions are what make us human. It’s a shame to think we might use social media as an excuse to live life in a bubble. What do you think? Do Facebook and other forms of social media enhance reunions or render them obsolete?
*Name has been changed to protect the innocent
