Eye Opening Application

I have been wondering how all of this Web 2.0 will apply to my situation and how others get real value out of it. I am cautious in following that all technology is good for our culture while it is obvious that technology has changed our culture in many ways.
On Friday, I saw a glimpse into how technology and specifically social networking can be a valuable and very human dynamic. I organized a blood drive for our school and was making my donation and chatting with the Red Cross technicians. While I was laying there one of the ladies asked another woman "Are you on facebook?", my ears perked up. The other woman said "No, my niece asked me to get on but I just don't get it." The woman said "You can get in touch with people and text them, I use it to talk with my son who is in Afghanistan. The Marines let them use the computers and he gets on every day and we talk, it makes it easier for both of us."
Well here was the valuable application of the social networking concept as a very real human interaction and not the frivolous inane texting that I had ascribed most of facebook to be. The woman went on to explain the fears her son was going through and his job responsibilities, it was fascinating to hear how they interacted via Facebook.
I was lucky to find an example that opened up the possibilities for this aspect of social networking because before I had not really been interested in becoming a member when asked by friends or acquaintances, I wasn't that interested in looking at someones pictures or their own impression of themselves. Now I could look with less of a jaded eye and find value.