Techno-Love

Before the revolution of the internet, life seemed more personable. People called each other and visited one another. Now in this day, society can communicate through the internet to visit friends or family without actually having to physically see them. The internet has changed society including how we buy, sell, talk, and now how we date. The internet’s dating craze has made a definite impact on traditional dating. Traditional dating is slowly becoming a thing of the past because online dating is becoming more convenient for those who don’t have time or just think they aren’t made for love. For some, internet dating is a good way to establish relationships, but also a way to lose the thrill of dating independently and experiencing serendipitous love.

Online dating can be seen as being lazy, easier, and takes less effort. Finding a partner is as easy as clicking the mouse and loading a browser page. It’s seen as lazy, having someone do the work for another person instead of doing it for themselves and giving the effort it takes that makes a relationship so special. It also seems impersonal. In the essay “Love in the Time of No Time” written by Jennifer Egan, the author states “Still a fair number of people continue to feel a stigma about dating online, ranging from the waning belief that it’s a dangerous refuge for the desperate and unsavory to the milder but still unappealing notion that it’s a public bazaar for the sort of people who thrive on selling themselves” (Egan 276). Online dating can also be seen as a scam. It can be used for those who crave one night stands or are looking for flings or affairs. Dating in general is never safe from these happenings but it is easier to find eligible partners online than in bars. Mainly online dating is impractical because it makes a person feel like they can find someone on their own which can lower self confidence. Online dating is an easy escape from traditional dating and is commonly looked down upon.

On the contrary, online dating is indeed a good way to establish relationships with others that have the same interests. Most people who choose to date through the web have low self confidence or aren’t very good with first impressions. With online dating, someone can see another’s personality as well as establish a connection before meeting. Some would say it’s impersonal. Others believe it to be “breaking the ice”. Without considering a persons true motives when dating online, it is concluded to be a great way to establish a relationship with another.

Online dating is a free choice and is effective for some people who think themselves to be “un-dateable” and there are positives to using the internet to find love, but online dating takes the tradition out of dating. It is a journey to find one’s soul mate and not to have them handed out without any effort. Commercial from E-harmony or Chemistry.com make it seem like online dating guarantee’s a soul mate and overlooks the ultimate disappointment in not being able to find anyone. In Jennifer Egan’s essay she states “Serendipitous love is what’s new, love borne of chance, love like what engulfed my grandparents after my grandfather, then a resident physician at a Chicago hospital emergency room, happened to remove my grandmother’s appendix” (Egan 276). Traditional dating has sparks and adventure. It has stories to tell of a love that began. A married couple can be assured they will be asked about how they met, and soon, a beautiful, romantic, possibly comical event is retold of how a love was found. Traditional dating is independent. A person establishes a relationship on their own terms instead of someone else finding them. Deciding for one’s self if a person is worthy instead of basing charisma or charm through a profile. It’s like striking gold when a chance is taken and love is found. Traditional dating is more mysterious, more fun, and rich with adventure. Online dating can be seen as being bland. The thrill in a relationship is established through chance and taking risks to conquer heartache and reach the goals of everlasting love.

The internet has created a new line of dating methods that are impacting traditional dating. Online dating seems admirable because it is convenient. Others see it as laziness. The internet is a good way to establish relationships, but also contributes to the expansion of flings and loveless physical relationships. Traditional dating is consumed with sparks and adventure and creates stories that will last a life time. Online dating is impacting traditional dating, but all in all, it is a choice as well as a second chance for those who feel like love isn’t blind and is critical.