But there's utility in a wide-field of acquaintances. It's not needed, you can live on an island by yourself after all, some will find the utility is not worth the cost.

But that's not my argument at all. You can have acquaintances. What I am trying to convey is that social media is turning real relationships into something more like the relationship with an acquaintance. If you can be "friends" with an acquaintance for extended periods of time and watch their lives, are they really acquaintances? What are they? It's a never ending High School Reunion. You have a passing interest in their lives, but in the end, do you really care?

I think we are addicted to control, novelty, and distraction, and we are neglecting real social connections.

Think about it. It started with call waiting. Now another party could preempt your conversation. Then there was the answering machine, you can time shift and screen your calls. Next it was pagers. Page me, and I will return the call at my leisure. Then cell phones. Anyone can call anytime! But that is too intrusive so everyone starts texting. Texting is not conducive to real human interaction. We need to hear each other, we need to be near and see facial expressions. We are losing part of our humanity.

I hesitate to call my own mother now without texting first. I hate that.