The online act of friending is being replaced by the simpler notion of "following." Instead of the emotionally fraught two-way dance of requesting and accepting a relationship, you simply announce an interest in someone else. They can follow you back, or not.
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http://readwrite.com/2014/08/06/social-networks-friend-request-follow-model?utm_content=awesmsharetools-sharebuttons&awesm=readwr.it_t2GP&utm_source=t.co&utm_campaign=&utm_medium=readwr.it-twitter