Board games, friends and connection

The Hartford Courant recently featured a story about the return of classic board games. It's just as you might think -- board games are returning because there's nostalgia, they are cheap, they are somewhat novel -- but what I caught my eye was the subtle framing of social networking and media as bad, bad things. Consider these following snippets:

They are part of a trend fueled by the economy and lifestyle changes...to turn to classic board games as an inexpensive and engaging way to get people together face-to-face

For five us to go to the movies for a couple of hours would cost about $60, and we don't even talk to each other

Those who play insist that board games never really went away, but they acknowledge the comeback in popularity and categorize play as "classically social" in a world consumed with faceless social networking.

"Nowadays people are so into their computers and social networking, they never go out and connect anymore," says Cheryl Livsey, during a Scrabble game at Real Art Ways. "This gives you a chance to exercise some social skills and interact face-to-face."

Not that I'm knocking face to face interaction; far from it. I talk to some of my best friends face to face. But I'm mystified by the assertion of "faceless social networking" practices, and how that isn't "connecting". Given the choice, would you rather chat with your dear friends online, or hang out with a bunch of strangers playing Connect Four? Which is safer? Which situation has more potential for meaningful connections? Just sayin'.

I never thought I'd say this, but if you want to chat with random strangers, you may as well take a spin with ChatRoulette. Admittedly, the chances of your ConnectFour partner flashing his pecker for you is probably lower; however, you can ditch the ChatRoulette buddy far more easily, and he won't follow you home.