The Revolution in Dating, Essay Example

The revolution in the Internet has extended its reach so as to affect our most important relationships. The Internet gives the potential for all types of communities and businesses to form: naturally, the entire process of dating has also taken on a cyber-character. Those in favor of online dating will argue that it facilitates the entire process. We can get to know someone with or without all the hassles of traditional dating, perhaps even avoiding meeting someone face to face through a process of elimination beforehand. However, much of romance is sacrificed with this new development in how we meet.

The Internet dating services function as traditional matchmakers in one way. We describe ourselves to an online dating community, we list our interests, our physical characteristics and perhaps even include a photograph of ourselves. In this sense, there is not much difference between the matchmaker and the online variation.

However, dating is also about the chance encounter. For example, when someone joins an Internet service, he or she obviously has an intent to form a relationship (unless, of course he or she is merely “trolling”) There is a type of predetermined stance which is taken to romance. It is as though romance can be something that is acquired, like any other product.

Traditional dating is much different. We may suddenly meet someone unexpectedly. Romance here is something exciting and completely contingent. It may take time to diagnose whether romantic feelings are mutual, thus leading to an eventual. Here, the process is much more hazardous, much more contingent, and this is part of the charm of the experience.

The Internet takes away much of this same charm and contingency. Online dating seeks to be “safe.” It offers a clean, quick and efficient way to make a match.

However, love and romance are not about efficiency. They are about the exact opposite: unexpected moments, uncertainty, and contingency. It is precisely these fundamental aspects of the romantic relationship and dating that are lost with the rise of Internet dating.