Well before I say anything on this, would like to clarify that this post is just my opinion on this and does not form part of a credible or authentic hypothesis. Its just my one cent.
A lot of things are mostly about technology now. Social media. Cloud Computing. It's the world we live in. It's the 21st century. It has come to stay and evolving faster. Faster than we can cope sometimes. We need to keep up. I have earlier that folks needing to date need to depend on good old personal, social interaction and not via technology like Facebook or Twitter.
Online dating is so conventional that it is not looked upon like something extraordinary or weird if you know what I mean. Well its not. The reason for dating online depends on your circumstance, some might say they are so busy so much so that they have no time whatsoever to go out or date! Their best companion, their smartphone or tablet becomes an avenue to interact with people. Some others may find their reason in that, they lack the confidence or self esteem to go out and meet people! Nothing wrong in that but remember that when you DO 'meet' the person, you will have to see them face to face at some point. Unless you want the relationship to continue indefinitely online! Pointless.
There are different online dating sites so much that there are specific sites targeted to specific kind of audience. Its like some companies advertising food products. They advertise it with all sorts of ploy that no matter your dietary requirements, there's always something for you. Organic, veggie, vegan, low fat etc. We have it.
So what is wrong (or not wrong) with online dating? Well this is what I think...
Online dating is like a deck of cards facing down! When you are asked to pick a card... ANY CARD. You do not know what you are going to get. Imagine this. You have followers on twitter or friends on facebook or google+ or Instagram (most of them you haven't met or seen in the flesh). Imagine you start chatting or develop some sort of communication with one or two of such contacts. Regardless of how much you have been in contact, you haven't met them, all you have is this communication via the internet. Yes you may have seen pictures or videos etc but it's not the same as a physical interaction.
Same principle with online dating. The difference now is you seek a romantic attraction with this person over the internet. When you 'meet' this person and it seems you are 'compatible', remember that the compatibility has been measured by what he/she has revealed about themselves not your observation of their personality traits. This cannot be done over the internet. Well apparently some dating sites (whose name I shall not mention) pride themselves in conducting personality tests and matching 'algorithms' that seem to find that 'perfect partner', whose 'compatibility' matches yours. Well scientifically they MAY have a point, but there is a FLAW. Yes. The flaw is that the software has used is what you have put down as your preferences or lifestyle to calculate this match or compatibility. The software or website cannot read your mind. Whatever you have typed in is what it knows. So for instance, if I wanted to paint a picture of a lady/gentleman, then I need to give the 'right answers'. Simple.
How do I know this? There have been situations and experiences shared from friends and associates who end up with disastrous dates even after the so called compatibility tests. How did this happen? They ask. I thought he/she said they were this/that? Surprises and new revelations. Don't get me wrong. This can happen with someone met in a social gathering but he difference is that there is a limit to what you can hide when you are with someone in the flesh as opposed to hiding behind a computer, smartphone or tablet.
Also there have been some success stories from online dating. All experiences cannot be the same. Different strokes for different folks. My Opinion in simple terms would be to tread with caution. Do not get emotionally attached before a face to face meeting. Meet in a public place in the company of a friend for the first few meetings. Keep an open mind. Everyone is guilty until innocent as long as internet dating is involved. Be guided.
As always. Please share your thoughts. Peace.
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