The Problem With Dating Apps

We all know someone addicted to Tinder. The ego boost from the mysterious Matt, (21, lives down the road) in his approval of your face (cheers, I grew it myself) has led to dating apps becoming a popular way of finding a potential partner. Whatever your stance/success rate may be, one thing’s for certain- they’re evolving, and in pretty controversial ways.

Tinder’s premise is strange. You hear of very few first-hand success stories. After all, how do you comfortably start a conversation with someone when the only thing you have in common is the belief that neither of you are ugly? It’s purely looks-based, you encounter more idiots than in real life and catfishing opportunities are endless- all in all, it’s a weird way of going about things. But as the world develops and technology seemingly has the answer to every dilemma (*someone tell me I’m pretty*) these apps are seemingly here to stay.

 ‘Horny Halls’ is the app trying to be Tinder “without the creeps.” It scouts out fresh student meat in your halls, local student area or even on your uni course. Getting what you want quickly could never be easier. Or creepier. 

At the other end of the spectrum sits the most controversial dating app ever. 30,000 people have signed up to ‘Luxy’, the app described as ‘Tinder without the poor people.’ Ouch. To join, your income must be £60k or more (although this does not apply to women- golddiggers.com?) For your profile, Luxy asks for your favourite brands and elite activities (gourmet dining being my favourite option); nothing about what you’re looking for in a partner. The app is constantly filtering those who aren’t attractive/rich enough in order to maintain its elite image.

Eventually, I suppose we’ll run out of potential ‘real life’ options- we’ve had enough dates with friends-of-friends, joined every society in vain hope of finding a likeminded individual and pulling in Crisis isn’t really getting anyone anywhere. Dating apps arguably widen the finite circle of ‘real people’ we encounter in our day to day lives. A Grazia report included an interview with Catherine, aged 30, a member of ‘Luxy’ who argues that “Because it’s aimed at high earners, it’s going to attract men who are business-minded, successful and ambitious…all qualities I value.” Convinced?

The nature of these apps brings up the discussion of motives- and how shallow the online dating game has become. Luxy is based on the idea that money plus money equals perfect match. Each to their own, but the idea of ‘Horny Halls’ hardly seems like a healthy way of meeting people. Not even Tinder can realistically represent what someone is truly like (so many people are better at talking through a screen than in reality, sadly.)

The answer? On one hand, your next Tinder match may be someone you’d never encounter in real life. But you can’t think in a ‘what if’ way- there are lots of real living breathing fish in this big sea. You could just keep being your best self, go out and talk to people. We don’t use apps to scout friends, after all.

Edited by Caroline Chan

Sources:

Grazia issue 496 p.31- “We delete anyone not rich or good looking”

http://www.businessinsider.com/luxy-dating-app-is-tinder-minus-the-poor-people-2014-10

http://lockerdome.com/6845112483464513/7066158478133268

Image sources:

https://www.pehub.com/2014/10/hot-dating-apps-urging-more-vcs-to-swipe-r…

http://frankmedia.com.au/wp-content/upLoads/2014/02/itsamatch_zps00d83d07.gif

http://www.eonline.com/eol_images/Entire_Site/201456/rs_500x203-140606093915-tumblr_mdxz3dpYKc1r1mr1po1_500.gif

http://wonderly.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/kristen1.gif

http://mrwgifs.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/Kristen-Wiig-Meets-A-Nice-Cute-Sweet-Guy-In-Bridesmaids-Gif.gif

http://media.tumblr.com/bd773144fd65c5cc7211bf5c0f3b8e1d/tumblr_inline_momtzpkIqy1qz4rgp.gif

• dating apps
• tinder