Okay, so let's kick off this lovely dialog with a discussion of internet dating sites. We'll begin with a little history. Back in the day, that's hip-speak for when your parents were sexually active (ewww!), you were pretty much limited in your selection of potential dates to people in your school, church, neighborhood and office. That used to be seen as a decent amount of people but with the increasing isolationist "iPod" lifestyle, more and more people are finding they don't really know, let alone talk to, those people around them.
There was a brief period where desperate singles turned to grocery stores, laundromats and, for the more adventurous guys, maternity stores, to meet potential partners. With the increase in 'alternative interest' folks, there have been a rise in more specific locations for catering to those specific groups. For example, there's a great little coffee shop in Chicago that specializes in providing a safe and welcome environment for short, young men who enjoy tall, elderly women who like to roller skate backwards.
Hey, if you haven't tried it, don't knock it.
That brings us to the present. The ubiquitous presence of the internet in nearly every home, library, coffee shop and cell phone has given singles – and dastardly married folk, as well – a nearly limitless access to anyone else. "Six Degrees of Separation"? More like One. All it takes is a couple minutes and a few clicks to present yourself on the Stage of Availability. Thereby, you have the instant means to communicate with people from such far-reaching realms as your school, church, neighborhood and office. Amazing, isn't it?
Then, in a bizarre sort of Freudian rejection, people decide this is a great opportunity to exaggerate.
Men are suddenly three inches taller and four years younger. Women post only one photo of themselves from the neck up and offer up multiple images of their aging pooch. And everyone the world over likes cuddling on the couch and long walks on the beach.
It's obvious we've come a long way toward improving our dating options.
About the Authors
- Jenny and James
- Silicon Valley, California, United States
- Growing up in Northern and Southern California, the authors have lived through both uniquely different and surprisingly similar experiences.
Their views on 21st century dating, with social internet sites, local meat markets and the new twists on the age-old 'game' provide entertaining and often insightful commentary.
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