convenient dating vs. compatible dating
DESCRIPTION
is GPS dating is really worth while?TRANSCRIPT
The New
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By Madison Zarnett
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Online dating and matchmaking are rampant and popular services that
match people based on the values and goals of the individual signing up.
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But as GPS dating becomes rampant, the values and goals
of the individual are lost.
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“[T]his new crop of GPS-based dating apps seems fixated largely on two qualities in
potential mates: Proximity and convenience” (Sutter, 1)
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“In the two years since its creation, Grindr, a location-based application has grown to have a network of 1.5 million
users in 180 countries” (Labrador, 2011)
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Digital communication appears to be a game changer in online relationships,
no matter what level of intimacy or not there may be.
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Could you imagine meeting your future partner based on this level
of convenience?
It’s obvious a relationship doesn’t continue purely on location...
However, a person may have to try many more relationships as a result of GPS
based dating services.
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These GPS based relationships may also lead to sexual activity sooner than later.
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In the survey of 1,200 men and women, nearly 80% of women and 58% of men
said they believed that using social media tools with new partners leads to sex
sooner (Carbone, 2011)
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Could we be sacrificing true compatibility for a trial and error based relationship
based on convenience?
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Couples don’t imagine finding their true loves through a GPS based dating
service, yet these services continue to be quickly growing.
This type of dating does however not include information that might be a
false perception of the self.
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There are some positives that are associate as a result of GPS based dating
services.
Joel Simkhai, CEO of Grindr, says “There's no need to have e-mails back and forth,
SMS's back and forth," he said. "The incentive is just to go meet.”
It’s available on multiple smart phones as well. For $2.99 per month, users can download Grindr Xtra for iPhones and
Androids and beta-testing for a Blackberry app.
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For $2.99, who wouldn’t want to meet the possible love of
their life?
There are some concerns about these new dating apps being used by predators who may
have access to a person's general location. Amanda Segal, said it's easy enough to tell if someone using a dating app is a predator or a
potential love interest. (Sutter, 3)
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GPS based dating services like Grindr prove to be useful and definitely help
with meeting people and give a platform for non-heterosexual couples
to meet.
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Will you participate?
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Credits:All Images are licensed under the Creative Commons Non-Commercial Share-Alike 3.0 agreement, and sourced from Flickr.
Works Cited:
Carbone, Nick. "Texting Leads to Sex Sooner — and Easier Breakups Later." SurvivingInfidelity.com - Support for Those
Affected by Infidelity. 26 Jan. 2011. Web. 19 May 2011. <http://survivinginfidelity.com/forums.asp?tid=401226>.
Labrador, Melissa. "GPS Based Gay, Straight Dating Apps Experiencing Rapid Growth." College Times. 5 May 2011. Web.
19 May 2011. <http://www.ecolleget imes.com/student-life/gps-based-gay-straight-dating-apps-experiencing- rapid- growth-1.2560005>.Sutter, John D. "With New GPS Dating Apps, It's
Love the One You're near - CNN." CNN,06 Aug. 2010. Web. 17 May 2011. <http://articles.cnn.com/2010-08-06/tech/gps.dating.apps_1_apps-grindr-skout?_s=PM:TECH>.