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The Great Dating Depression

To question the undebatable fact that technology has made life easier and comfortable for us humans will be unwise. Yet, while technology is invaluable to human development and civilization, it has made a mess of some processes that were once beautiful when done naturally. Processes, which would have been better off if left the way they were.  One of this major processes is dating, which owing to technology has continued to evolve to a point of recession.

Without a doubt, technology has revolutionized the dating world. But make no mistake, it didn’t come with all things negative, as our joy knew no bounds when we could communicate effectively by sending instant messages and facetiming our loved ones. No longer did we have to send letters or call homes that shared a single telephone line. Truly, it’s really a good time to be alive. But with the improvement of dating communication, came a cancerous growth of online dating apps and websites. A process that’s supposed to be paced, natural and energetic is now listed right next to Candy Crush.

Like a Boiling Frog

Dating apps have done well on their promise of making potential dates available and accessible. But their existence has caused more harm than good to the dating world. The behemoth flagship dating company; The Match Group Limited (Owners of Tinder, OkCupid, Match, Plenty of Fish and many other dating brands) is worth several billions of dollars. And this comes as no surprise owing to the subscription charges and hidden fees. Most of these dating sites promise a good dating experience, only for you to sign up and realize your experience is hedged. Eventually, you get lured to pay for hidden charges and other services to get a better experience. With many singles not finding success on a single dating app, and resorting to having accounts with several dating sites, many singles have become bankrupt. You can’t expect the subscription fees from many accounts not to add up.

Catfish With a Side of Awkward

Let’s even forget the financial consequences, what about the security risk?!  From cyber bullies to fraudsters and sex predators, the online dating platform is a fertile breeding ground for all sorts of miscreants. You could get catfished, blackmailed, duped of your money, kidnapped, or worse cut your life short if you become prey to a serial killer. It’s obvious to see that online dating has made dating very dangerous. Aside from posing a major security risk, online dating has also made a vast majority of people socially inept and awkward. Most times, the chemistry built on online dating media platforms do not progress into real life situations due to poor social skills on the part of one or both of the potential lovers. We’ve now become a world that grooms men that can’t talk with ladies, and women that can’t act like women around men. Everything is pretty much upside down now.

Perfection Just Around the Corner

To further compound the problem, the ‘modern ways of dating’ as made monsters out of the majority. Fetishization and people’s strict dating preferences which are fueled by stereotypes and racial bias now have a conducive environment to grow. Truly, we’ve made a mess of Mother Nature’s blueprint. And by being afforded the opportunity of laser targeting (through advanced filter features) people you’ll like to date, the “Yin-yang” dating effect is gradually becoming extinct as people are always looking to date their clones all in the name of compatibility.  When in truth, it’s much fun when you complement one another despite the differences. On whether we’ve hit rock bottom, I can’t be sure. But even if haven’t, I’m certain we are only a few inches away from it. But is there hope?! I can’t really say. But with a conscious change in dating behavior, to the more traditional ways of dating, there might be hope for us all.