Over the past couple of weeks I have been having fun acquainting myself with Twitter and Facebook. Facebook has been around for awhile but I have not paid much attention to it other than to try to keep up with one of my daughters prodically. On the other hand although Twitter has been out for a couple three or four years I had little to no knowledge of it. So it was with fear and trepidation I ventured into the world of social networking especially trying to look at and understand Twitter and what all the hoopla was about. 

Now for some time I have been developing a website for the sole purpose of helping my patient/clients with timely information available to them on the web and with questionnaires that would enhance and expedite our counseling experience together; however, finding relevant information in the world of cyberspace had not been my forte'. Initially I was overwhelmed with the technology and how much information was out there and available to any one who wanted to find it. And then I became gradually aware that much of the information was repetitive and being reproduced over and over again in different formats and different forums. Gradually I'm becoming familiar with the medium and have reached a few tentative conclusions. 

Yes, there is a lot of information. Much of the information is being reproduced and re-packaged each day in different formats by different people. There are probably 10-15 relevant studies or pieces of information for me and my practice being produced around the world on any given day. Finding this information is becoming increasingly easier with the help of all the fellow social networkers many of whom have access to sources that would not normally be available to me unless I paid or subscribed to several journals or newsletters and then would not be as immediately available due to publishing and delivery times.

However, there is a lot of information that is more opinion than knowledge and once repeated over and over begins to take the form of gospel even if it is not. In addition, the amount of real wisdom or knowledge from experience is even less present. This is not a criticism just a recognition of the value of social networking and the realization of its limitations. Keeping it in perspective Twitter, Facebook and the other social sites are invaluable. The social exchange on the web is enlightening and engaging. The amount of real world knowledge is there but limited and the amount of wisdom is even less so. However, keeping everything in perspective the social networking is a great deal of fun and a real hoot!

Helping Hearts Heal, 
Dr. Dan L. Boen