Online Dating: A Gift or A Curse?

Love, love, love, what is it good for?

Absolutely nothing.

The arduous biological task of mate hunting has been simplified by the genius of mankind.

Sayonara self-help books, overpriced ineffective therapy and bar hopping. With the effortless click and scroll of their digital rat, an individual is granted instant access to their very own twenty-first century version of the watering hole, all whilst in the comfort of their own domicile, and more than likely sporting their favorite pair of Yoda over-sized pajamas.

Equipped with numerous categories –ranging from behavioral, habitual and recreational – online dating draws on the premise that if a mate is what you seek, then pay and you shall receive. Overflowing with conveniently located singles, who happen to participate in the same activities you do, subscribe to your ideals, morals, religious and political views, all within the bounds of your zip-code, all for a cost (after all, we do live in a capitalistic economy).

Online dating is nothing more than the ultimate option a single individual dreads when a dry spell has reached its peak: The Blind Date. Companies like Match.com, eHarmony and Plenty of Fish, are simply the futuristic adaptation of the incessant friend who knows the “perfect” gal/guy, with the sole advantage that (more than likely) a terribly old picture of the potential suitor in his/her prime is exposed prior to the date itself. All the while, retaining the compatibility and personal characteristics information and only revealing said information after compensation has been received.

After prolonged consideration some dare jump into the abyss of cyberspace matchmaking in the hopes of resurfacing, worst case scenario, with a friend. And whilst some are fortunate, others, if not most, do not share the same results.  Nonetheless, dating in itself is complex, intricate, puzzling. Until the human mind is recoded with a full proof, one hundred percent success rate, optimal mate seeking operating system, we will have to resort to whatever means, be it online or speed dating, to fulfill our evolutionary and biological purpose.