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Today, our number of weak-tie acquaintances has exploded due to the Internet-to the phenomenon of online social networking.
現在，由于互聯網的存在，我們的“弱關系”相識數量大幅增加，演變成線上社交網絡（現象）。
This is still a relatively new way of communication, something that has a huge amount of potential, but also, as with any invention, it brings with it a new set of problems.
這仍然是一個相對較新的交流形式，潛力巨大，但同時，和其它創新一樣，也帶來一系列新問題。
Let's start with the benefits.
先從好處開始。
Without question, online social networking allows us to pass on the latest news-to be up-to-date with local and global events.
毫無疑問，線上社交網絡能讓我們傳遞最新的信息，緊跟當地和世界事件的腳步。
And for many, this information comes from sources more trustworthy than local media.
對很多人來說，這些消息的來源比當地媒體更值得信任。
So, this is one clear point in favour of online social networking.
所以，這很明顯是支持線上社交網絡的。
I know that it's also being used by students as a means of increasing their chances of success, in the way that lecture notes can be shared and ideas discussed.
我知道，學生也利用社交網絡作為增加成功幾率的方式，表現在課堂筆記可以分享，學生可以討論想法。
I think, personally speaking, that we need some further research before we can definitively say whether it helps or not.
個人來說，我認為，在決定到底其是否有利以前，我們需要進一步研究。
There's also been a great increase in the number of networking sites devoted to sharing advice on health issues but there are as yet no studies to prove the reliability of that advice.
用以分享健康建議的網站數量也大幅增加，但目前尚無研究證明網站建議的可靠程度。
Now, what we do have clear evidence for is that people are developing friendships and professional networks in a way that wasn't possible before - the process is faster.
我們有確鑿證據證明，人們正以以前從未有過的方式發展友誼和職業關系網——整個進程加快了。
I'm not talking about quality here, but simply that they exist.
我討論的不是質量，只是他們存在這個事實。
And it's debatable whether the number of online friends that you have increases your level of self-confidence-that's perhaps an area of research some of you might be interested in following up.
到底所擁有的網友數量能夠增強自信，這仍有待商榷——也許這個研究領域會引起你們進一步關注的興趣。
Turning to the problems, there are any number of articles connecting online activity to falling levels of physical fitness, but it's too easy to blame the Internet for our social problems.
講講問題吧。有很多文章都把上網活動和體質下降聯系起來，但把社會問題怪到互聯網頭上未免也太過輕率。
The poor grades of school children are also frequently linked to the time spent on social networking sites, but it would be naive to believe there are no other contributing factors.
人們也常把學童成績不好和孩子在社交網站上花的時間聯系起來，但只有天真的人才會相信沒有其它影響因素。
One real concern, however, is the increase in the amount of fraud, where for example, people are using the personal data of others, which they've put online, for criminal purposes.
真正值得注意的一點，是欺詐行為的增加，比如人們在網上利用他人的個人資料達到犯罪目的。
This kind of activity seems likely to continue.
這種行為看上去很可能會持續下去。
And then, certainly for employers, online social networking sites have provided a great time-wasting opportunity, reducing productivity like never before and I doubt they can put a stop to this habit, no matter what restrictions are in place.
接著，對雇員來說肯定如此：社交網絡給了他們浪費時間的絕佳機會，以絕無僅有的方式降低生產力。我很懷疑人們能不能戒除這一習慣，不管有多少限制條文已經生效。
We'll come back to these issues in a minute, but I'd like to say something about the theories of Robin Dunbar, an anthropologist at Oxford University.
我們馬上會回到問題上來，但我想說一下羅賓·鄧巴的理論，他是一位牛津大學的人類學家。
Dunbar has found that the human brain has evolved in a way that means we can only give real attention to a particular number of people,150 apparently.
鄧巴發現，人腦已經進化到一定程度，這意味著，我們只能將注意力投放在一定數量的人身上， 約150人。
So, for example, if the number of friends on your online network is greater than that, according to Dunbar, this would imply the relationships are only superficial.
所以，舉例說明吧，如果你的線上好友數超過150，根據鄧巴的理論，這意味著這些人際關系都是非常膚淺的。
Dunbar is not against online relationships, but he maintains that face-to-face interaction is essential for the initial creation of true friendship and connections.
鄧巴不反對線上關系，但他堅持認為，要建立真正的友誼和關系，面對面互動至關重要。
He's concerned that for young people, if their only experience of forming relationships is online - this doesn't allow them to form the ability or acquire the strategies for maintaining relationships.
他很擔心年輕人——如果他們只有線上交往的經歷，他們就無法建立維持關系的能力，或學習其策略。
For example, in situations where negotiation or diplomacy is required, or where it's essential for...
譬如，在需要協商或運用外交手段的場合，或關鍵是...
