Nobody Thinks Online Dating Is A Substitute For The Real Thing
from the finding-a-first-date dept
Unlike Brad Stone at the Times tech blog, I think webcam-based speed dating is a promising idea, and if I were single I'd probably try it out. Stone points out two objections to the concept, neither of which seems especially compelling. One is that "for a certain demented kind of person, live Web cameras are an invitation for nudity and public displays of self-affection." That doesn't strike me as a very serious obstacle, though. For one thing, as any woman who's tried old fashioned online dating (is online dating old enough to be called "old-fashioned" yet?) will tell you, men already send women inappropriate pictures of themselves using traditional personals sites. Secondly, this kind of abuse should be pretty easy to deter by asking for contact information, perhaps verified with a credit card. Few men are likely to expose themselves on a site that's keeping a video recording of the conversation and has their contact information on file. The other objection is that "brief, Web-brokered Internet chat sessions might not be the best gauge of whether an enduring connection is possible." But that objection applies to any online dating service—yet lots of people find Internet dating useful. The point of online dating services (and real-life "speed dating" services, which have also become popular) isn't to decide who to marry, and it's never been a substitute for more traditional dates. The point is to help you efficiently find people who seem worth the time and expense of a first date. If a service like this helps you avoid a date where the girl stares at her plate and mumbles to herself the whole meal, that seems like time and money well spent.
Thank you for reading this Techdirt post. With so many things competing for everyone’s attention these days, we really appreciate you giving us your time. We work hard every day to put quality content out there for our community.
Techdirt is one of the few remaining truly independent media outlets. We do not have a giant corporation behind us, and we rely heavily on our community to support us, in an age when advertisers are increasingly uninterested in sponsoring small, independent sites — especially a site like ours that is unwilling to pull punches in its reporting and analysis.
While other websites have resorted to paywalls, registration requirements, and increasingly annoying/intrusive advertising, we have always kept Techdirt open and available to anyone. But in order to continue doing so, we need your support. We offer a variety of ways for our readers to support us, from direct donations to special subscriptions and cool merchandise — and every little bit helps. Thank you.
–The Techdirt Team
Filed Under: online dating, speed dating
Reader Comments
Subscribe: RSS
View by: Time | Thread
Punishing the Wrongdoers
I've had plenty of success in meeting normal, respectable women online. My current girlfriend will be spending Thanksgiving with me.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Long Term Relationship
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Square Dance
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Ummm, send those women to me
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: Ummm, send those women to me
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
I actually met my guy online...
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
What kind of crazy fucking loon would, male or female, unless they're some kind of exhibitionist?
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re:
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Nice to know the yabo's are up to speed and the person you meet didn't need a wide angle web cam.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
I met my wife online
Of course I should mention that my wife is an immigrant and our first date took place in Beijing. (and all I can say is, if you like Peking duck, go to the source!)
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
I do
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
well..
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
dating
Free Christian Dating Site
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
work at home
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Online Dating Profile
It is a great way to reach out to people you would never have a chance to meet, and connect with them.
The major key to online dating is setting up a magnetic profile, that attracts those similar to you.
Not any profile will cut it, you must create an edge over the competition, which is fierce.
For a free report on how to set up a magnetic profile visit Online date secrets
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Then check out http://www.EveryoneHates.me
The only site with 100% real profiles and tons of things to do. Blogs, games, forums, chatrooms, gifts, member uploads, music, videos and more!
Don't forget to add our facebook at http://www.facebook.com/EHMSite
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Dating
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Free Dating
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
dating
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Great idea but...
On a side note online dating doesn't seem to be so alternative anymore either - it's more the norm now from what I see?
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
It's the Norm!
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
online dating
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Sjekketriks
IMO nothing beats dating in real life with a person live in front of you!
Anyway, some great points here.
Peace
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
use the best of both worlds
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Online Dating
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Meet In The Real World
[ link to this | view in chronology ]