Really? Ok granted, I'm probably "old" for an HN user, but to me Facebook is a system that creates an artificial sense of connectedness. I don't consider that an essential service.
Do we all need to be connected to everyone and know what they're doing at all times? I've drifted away from friends I had 20, 30, 40 years ago, and that's perfectly OK. If people are important to you, you will find a way to stay connected. It's not the end of the world if you lose touch. It was a perfectly normal phenomena before social media, and it will be after social media as well.
As I've gotten older, I've noticed that I prefer fewer, deeper relationships than having a large number of shallow relationships. That's why I tend to use email/instant messaging with only my close friends/family. I have a Facebook presence, but it's only there to maintain weaker connections to people outside of my core social circle.