Most of what appears to pass as ‘common’ relation amongst humans is (nearly) incoherent and inconceivable to me. It’s nothing like my own way or experience. Common human discussions and models usually seem fairly absurd to me, because they have so little to do with my own experience that they might as well refer to cartoons.

In my experience, Facebook is, as well as a transport of learning and meeting numerous others with whom I would not ordinarily be privileged to interact, a strange sort of observation portal within which I am allowed to observe and participate with a species whose relational activities and motivations are almost as mysterious to me as those of an alien sentience.

For me, ‘friend’ indicates something so profound and intimate that it might as well mean ‘more than family member’. It’s a sacred and growing bond, that I seek only with those with whom I feel a relatively profound platonic and or semi-romantic (but not necessarily erotic) attraction. A friend is someone who I want to learn and grow with forever. It may not work out that way in every case, but friends are ‘close intimates’ for me, who become, effectively, superfamily. This involves deep vulnerability and sensitivity to their character, needs, dreams, and our relational field.

Secondly, those I would pursue some form of actual relational romance with, as in a lover, are perhaps one tier above a friend in that the degree of trust is exceptionally deep, and I become dangerously and profoundly vulnerable to them.

As for the idea that relationships are ‘a game’, that seems true for me by distant and vague analogy -only-. I do not ‘play’ relationships.