Dating via Technology

Have the days of meeting someone spontaneously in a train come to end? Have we alt+ctrl+del the face to face contact and replaced it with Skype? Have E-cards replaced the traditional romantic gesture of sending rosees? Well, that all depends on who you ask. But one thing is certain: The 21st century technology mania has set its own definitions on love!

Finding love online has become more of a trend than I thought. Just the other day I found out a girl who in my dorm met her boyfriend through Facebook. Crazy, right? Not really. Online dating is more popular than ever. Besides the usual social networks like Facebook , Twitter, and MySpace there are countless amounts of dating websites. EHarmony.com and Plenty of fish.com are only two of the many that are out there.

After some observations, most online dating websites require users to create a profile and take several assessments to find matches that they are most compatible with. Sweet, huh? Well, I took the time to ask individuals who actually have accounts open with online dating websites. The majority of them talk to potential partners either through aim, e-mail, or text. Some do mention that they talk over the phone and even go on to video chat. Some have declared that they met potential partners in person. Vinnie, 24 year old Graphic Designer met 25 year old Photographer Melissa about two weeks ago at a Coffee shop. Vinnie and Melissa met on Plentyoffish.com and from then on have kept in contact ever since. After a week of getting to know each other through phone they decided to meet. Vinnie described the meet pleasant and sweet. What attracted him to Melissa was that fact that she was an intellectual artist and a free spirit. For the next several weeks, they began to talk more and more. They met again but this time in her place where they had a traditional movie night. Several days later they stopped talking. Random, right?. According to Vinnie, there was shared interest but no spark or compatibility.

Of course, there are many more experiences that do not necessary have the same outcomes. Jorge 28 year old computer scientist has been with his girlfriend for 2 years now and they met in EHarmony. But then again, some of these websites require monetary cost such as EHarmony. Unlike Plentyoffish.com where it’s completely free of charge. However, this article is not met to compare online dating websites creditability but more onto having a pensive mind on the subject matter.

If we look for love online what are the chances that we will find someone worthwhile? Someone who can possibly change our lives? The answer depends on the ones who have adopted this new online search for love. On the contrary, many skeptics believe online dating is absurd and also quite dangerous. That is why is highly important for people who do consider to meet people online to pick places that people are constantly around such as the movies, malls, restaurants, etc. The most important thing of all is that no matter what, you cannot trust everyone you meet. Although some people have good intentions some people do not.

Another thing to consider is if this new found way of finding love has some ways hindered romance. Is an “I love you” text more valuable than a knock on door with someone telling you they love you? Or maybe not necessary hindered romance but has online dating reinvented it? One thing that is definitely sure is that no matter what means of love, the best love is the one that finds you.