Ribit, I'm on FB, but I don't have any private info there, not even birthday. I'm there as a work tool, not personal. For the most part, I haven't accepted friend requests when I don't know them and have limited friends altogether. I'm swamped in newletters and such, so I don't use FB much anymore, but everyone's out there, orgs and people. It's possible to talk to many people casually about articles they write, positions they take, and such. Can come in handy; it's a good J-tool.
Now Google has one. Gen Hayden said the other day that Google knows more about you than anyone on the planet. Imagine when they have you on their version of Facebook. they will own you. Awesome.
Under the shade tree. I like that. It reminds me, too, of rural Virginia, where I have seen the old timers sitting on a bench out in front of the garage at the local gas station. That intersection, with 4-way stop signs was the town.