Have you had enough of the word “social networking” yet?  Perhaps it should have been included in the Lake Lake Superior State University 2009 List of Banished Words, along with words like “maverick,” “green” and “first dude”.

But, it wasn’t included.  Which means we have to deal with it throughout 2009.

Fed up or not with the word, social “whatever-you-prefer-to-call-it”, is here to stay and most likely to grow.

Technological evolution is inevitable.  Consider Beta, VHS, DVD, Blue Ray.   Or, 8-Track, Cassette, CD, MP3.

Remember the old fashioned, hand-written letter?  It’s long been replaced as the primary and customary form of written communication by email (though in my opinion a hand-written letter can never really be replaced).  Now email, usually considered fast and efficient, is becoming slow and time-consuming.  Is it becoming a thing of the past?

Have a message you want to spread?  Tweet it.  Need to get in touch with someone?  Facebook ‘em.  Got an expertise to share?  Blog about it.

The problem with many of these new “communication tools” is that, much like email spammers, there are a few that ruin it for the bunch.  Blogs are not just for expressing political opinions, airing dirty laundry or exploiting Hollywood celebrities.  Blogs are an easy way to share expert advice and learn about the behind-the-scenes activities at your favorite company.   MySpace is not just creepy middle aged men lurking behind fake profiles.  Facebook is not just a bunch of college kids trading keg party stories.  Both are legitimate communication tools.  Both are fast and both continue to grow.  Send someone an email, then contact that same person through Facebook and see which gets answered first.

And what is this Twitter thing all about?  Well, it’s growing.  And fast!  It’s a simple concept – tell people (your followers) what you are currently doing in 140 characters or less.  Conversely, you see what the people you are following are currently doing.  That’s it.  That’s all there is to it.

Throw in the fact that most of this can now be updated from your cellphone and you have a recipe for extremely fast and efficient communications.

Call it what you will, “social networking” is here to stay (and grow).  So it’s time to get onboard.  Or get left behind visiting the post office for more stamps.