Share 'To the Pen Pals Group'

Okay. I hope this isn't inappropriate or bad netiquette or anything, but I tried to "message" Hibou, the Pen Pals group owner, but it said I had to "be friends" first. I know this sounds ridiculously antiquated and cranky, but I have a problem with the whole "friending" thing on the Net, because I feel it trivializes and automates the ancient and organic institution of "friendship". Please allow…