The tweets started mere moments after the shocking news of fashion designer Alexander McQueen's untimely death: "RIP Alexander McQueen" or "Alexander McQueen, you will be missed" or a few hours later, which may as well be days in this immediate society we've created: "Just heard Alexander McQueen died! Whoa! So sad." I'm sure these posts come from a place of sadness or surprise, or at least wanting followers to know that you're up on the news. Is Twitter the new condolence card? Are we okay with that? If social networking is the modern day water cooler, then it makes sense we'd pay our respects to someone we knew only through the media and magazines (and amazing clothes – if you're lucky enough to shop at that level, or smart enough to shop at Target). It's weirder to me somehow when the tweets of grief come from those who actually knew the person – is this really the best way to express your loss? But then, it has become the way to express most everything we're feeling, thinking and doing and perhaps should not be interpreted as anything more than it is: a status update. There is a more formal online avenue to share condolences: Legacy.com - an online funeral guest book, really. The thoughts and memories live on…at least until a system crash.