D A T I N G
In the Post-Internet Age
By Maria Paradinas
The World Wide Web has weaved its threads into all aspects of modern life, and dating is no exception. Tailored perfectly for a generation hooked on instant gratification, social validation and a healthy supply of notification induced-dopamine, dating apps are the best and worst thing to happen to us. The best because they very successfully fulfil their function - hooking users up with thousands of people in their area who are all looking for someone new to meet. This is increasingly necessary for our fast-paced lifestyles, in which productivity and work output is highly prioritised. The truth is that many, especially those who work full-time, don’t always have the spare hours to go out and meet new people. Dating apps perfectly solve this problem. They literally serve you thousands of people, conveniently essentialised and packaged into two-dimensional digital bundles to be judged ‘hot’ or ‘not’. They can also connect you with people that you would never otherwise meet, and meeting somebody completely distinct from the circle within which you move can be exciting and refreshing. They’re also the worst – what makes people attractive can range from the way they talk, the sound of their voice, their mannerisms, their walk - all of this is lost when a living, breathing human being is represented on a digital profile.
