Friends Who Disappear

Were there always people who just would suddenly disappear?

In some ways, I think the issue of "suddenly disappearing friends" is related to the Internet and to the fact that we now have people we call friends who we might have never actually met in person.

And yet, we count them as our friends.

Then, one day, it is as if they have suddenly been erased. Their social media feeds suddenly go dead, they stop writing blog posts, they stop creating YouTube videos and it is as if there are no signs that they were ever alive.

I have long been surprised by the way people can just suddenly drop off the map. One day they're there, and you have no indication that anything is wrong, and then they are suddenly gone.

In a way, it reminds me a little bit of people from my past — back from my University days, for example — whom I have tried to look up online and it turns out they have no digital footprint at all. They are not even referenced in passing, as part of the staff for the companies they work for!

And yet, I know they're not dead. I guess they simply do not use the web, at all!

But then again, maybe my perspective is skewed because I do most of my work online. A lot of people have no need for that because they're doing jobs like gardening or being a cook. One particular friend from way back who I have been unable to find is the school teacher. You would think she would have a digital presence, but she absolutely does not.

Maybe I just care too much. Maybe I should not worry so much about somebody I only had a connection with online. But I wouldn't be a very good friend if I didn't care what happened to them.

I wonder what happens to these people. Do they have some sort of major life event, or do they simply grow sick and tired of the circus that is social media? And why do they choose to disappear so completely, rather than simply saying they're going on hiatus?

Most seem to stay gone, once they've disappeared. Only a tiny minority suddenly reappear after months or years, and usually without explanation.

I suppose I will never know. But that doesn't stop me from worrying...

Thanks for stopping by, and I hope you have a great Friday!

How about YOU? Have you ever had a friend suddenly vanish without reasonor explanation? Leave a comment if you feel so inclined — share your experiences — be part of the conversation!

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Created at 2026.02.27 02:19 PST
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