Just about all of my friends seem to be involved in happy, committed, long-enduring relationships. In some circles, I’m one of the few single stragglers. It doesn’t bother me that much, but when the conversation inevitably turns to the trials and tribulations of we single-folk, I sometimes want to tear my hair out. Since they’ve been cosy together for quite some time, my coupled-up pals want to know what it’s really like out there in the dating scene. “Bleak,” is usually the word that comes to mind. I don’t say this simply because every OkCupid date I’ve endured has not only made me cringe and also earned each of my dates a nickname (e.g. Drug Rug, Forrest Gump fan, and Sneaker Pimp), but because dating in the digital age just seems like a bunch of smoke, mirrors and blurred boundaries.
I’m pretty sure people still meet for the first time in real life sometimes, but more and more people are turning to the world wide web to seek a snuggle buddy and that means an alluring profile pic is essential. Ok, fine, we all get that. It makes sense to put your best face forward, so to speak, to reel ‘em in with your perfectly positioned, self-snapped shot. We’re all (likely) guilty of it at some point, it’s the way of our modern world, it’s acceptable. However, when we get too carried away with the photographic self love, I see an issue. Even if you initially met your love interest IRL, chances are cell phones and selfies have been a significant part of your courtship.
Since we’re all glued to our smartphones, it stands to reason that we use them as a tool in our quest to procure dates. Not only do all dating websites boast their own mobile apps, our phones are our cameras and with us 24/7. That means there’s plenty of opportunity to snap a sassy selfie and flirtatiously release it to the world instantly. People abuse this luxury and sometimes it gets weird.
Exhibit A: Brody