This evening my wife and I went to Barnes and Noble book store with the kids, a usual stomping ground. I had taken my son back to the children’s book section to play on a Thomas the Train play set where another little boy already seemed to be having a good time. I noticed that this boy’s dad was a man I see at Starbucks practically every morning I’m there and I decided to introduce myself. His name was Dragan, from Yugoslavia, and we then spent the next half an hour in riveting conversation.

I learned that he made guitars. It wasn’t his job, it was his passion. I found it utterly fascinating to watch and listen as he explained to me what he is passionate about. He had such an intensity in his expression and tone as he described various types of wood and technique. He may just be making my next guitar.

Then he asked me about my passion.

I told him how those mornings at Starbucks are usually spent writing and that someday I plan to get a book published. The topic of the book I’m working on allowed us to segue into religion and idealism. He has devoted his life to the study and practice of Judaism. He spoke about how he had arrived at his current architecture of beliefs with the same intensity he had when we talked about his guitars.

I found myself truly engaged and noticed that we had both gone from leaning back in the chairs with our legs crossed to leaning forward with our elbows perched on our knees. Our hands were moving more expressively as we talked. All the earmarks of a great conversation.

We were interfacing, creating a connection and sending data back and forth. This is social networking in its original form (before Al Gore invented the Internet); two people, face to face, sharing ideas and building each other up. I’ll be able to take what I experienced this evening and use it for my own personal development. That is what it’s all about. In reality, I just added Dragan to my friends list. Now I’m left wondering if it’s possible to connect on this level with the same kind of visceral responses when you’re not face to face? Does online social networking eliminate this emotional touch point?

Your turn. Let me know your opinion and please share any experiences you may have.

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