Every few seconds today, Facebook keeps telling me that someone has written on my ‘wall’, wishing me happy birthday. So far I have had over fifty messages. It’s strange – I did not realise I was that popular. Then again, a wall message is not like writing a card: it just takes about five seconds, on a website we’re all pretty much constantly on anyway. Nevertheless, it’s the thought that counts, and, looking down the list of names and attaching a face and memory to each, it’s good to realise just how many friends I have.