The Internet of Things(IOT) is defined as “Linking
machinery, equipment, and other physical assets with networked sensors and
actuators to capture data and manage performance, enabling machines to
collaborate and even act on new information independently” (McKinsey, 2013).
With this definition, what would the future of dating look like?
I will be comparing Okcupid, Happn and Bumble really quickly
now:
Okcupid is like Facebook, it asks you to create a profile, asks you an unlimited amount of questions about your personality, religion, your hobbies all the way to your answers to math questions(I am not good at Math by the way haha). From there, Okcupid will use an algorithm to generate a match for you. The closer your match is to 100%, the higher chance of you getting along with the Gentleman or Lady on Okcupid in real life.
Happn bases your potential dates on their looks and location. Hence, it has gained an infamous reputation for being an app that you can use to stalk people. How you can do this is that you can come back to the same spot daily, for example, SIM Global and, can find the same people there. Thus, if you really wanted to, you could trail someone home with Happn (PLEASE DON’T, Chivalry is not dead).
Lastly, we have Bumble. A swiping app like Tinder, Bumble was created by the creators of Tinder but unlike the former, Bumble lets the ladies take control. If a man and a woman like each other on Bumble, it will be up to the ladies instead of the men to initiate the conversation. This is a huge leap into the future whereas in the past and even currently, it is up to the males to start talking to a lady to ask her out on a date, I found someone I have chemistry with on Bumble, that has got to count for something.
Okcupid is like Facebook, it asks you to create a profile, asks you an unlimited amount of questions about your personality, religion, your hobbies all the way to your answers to math questions(I am not good at Math by the way haha). From there, Okcupid will use an algorithm to generate a match for you. The closer your match is to 100%, the higher chance of you getting along with the Gentleman or Lady on Okcupid in real life.
Happn bases your potential dates on their looks and location. Hence, it has gained an infamous reputation for being an app that you can use to stalk people. How you can do this is that you can come back to the same spot daily, for example, SIM Global and, can find the same people there. Thus, if you really wanted to, you could trail someone home with Happn (PLEASE DON’T, Chivalry is not dead).
Lastly, we have Bumble. A swiping app like Tinder, Bumble was created by the creators of Tinder but unlike the former, Bumble lets the ladies take control. If a man and a woman like each other on Bumble, it will be up to the ladies instead of the men to initiate the conversation. This is a huge leap into the future whereas in the past and even currently, it is up to the males to start talking to a lady to ask her out on a date, I found someone I have chemistry with on Bumble, that has got to count for something.
So, Okcupid, Bumble and Happn all have data in fact, a lot
of it. This is called “Big Data”. Big Data means “Datasets whose size is beyond
the ability of typical database software tools to capture, store, manage, and
analyse” (McKinsey, 2011). So, since we have a lot of dating apps, what could
the future be like?
It could possibly be a holographic projection of a lady or
man, sitting in your home talking to you and, telling you when food in your
fridge is low for example. With IOT, there comes pros and cons. So, would you
want a hologram for companionship? Sound Off!
With the advance of technology and the Internet of Things, finding an "ideal" date has become easier than before. But you must be careful as they may not be the same person in real life as you think in the social media.
ReplyDeleteThe pros is that it allows one to find their date through common interest. With Big Data, they are able to browse through easily to find their match.
The downside is that you may be bombarded with many people chatting with you if you are the "popular" date. Which can affect your personal life.
Well said Paul. Too often, we can get stuck in the virtual world.
ReplyDeleteHologram for companion?? That would only give us warped mentalities about the value of Love I feel.
ReplyDeleteYeah that would. It'd be interesting to see who would take the hologram and, who would not.
DeleteNo, I’d rather have a non holographic companion, it’s don’t make sense to me personally. Plus, I’d rather have it old school, and meet someone while at the cafe or the bar or even the library (if I ever go there again). I don’t know if it relates, but it’s mt two cents worth.
ReplyDeleteOf course it relates Brenda. Good to that you are old school like me.
Delete-Long comment as there are things that can be debated about in the current topic.-
ReplyDeleteIOT has, in fact, opened up different cans of worms, especially in the dating scene. Your post has singled out the use of dating apps that sound relatively new to me. Take Happn, for example, where users can trace the location and potentially "stalk" the other party, which is scary. In this age where data breaches occur, how long will it take for a hacker to trace the data of users, and in this sense, compromise users' safety? But I digress.
The question should not only be where technology will take us, but also how far will be too much. Technology has catered to the the current trends of what we call "instant gratification". It is not limited to current consumer goods and services, but also for the dating scene. Many have online personas that do not match their "offline" personality, and such profiles that look good mainly promotes superficiality. Just like how LinkedIn profiles are designed to help you market yourself for a job, aren't dating apps the same? Moreover, how many of such online relationships can be considered genuine, and how many are considered flings?
Finally, to respond to your question about wanting a hologram for companionship, my answer is "no". At the end of the day, my belief is that humans are social beings, where we need to interact with each other for survival. Artificial intelligence can only take us so far since they have to be pre-programmed by their creators (aka, us!). It is an interesting notion, however, to consider holograms or other forms of artificial intelligence being present in the dating scene.
Wow Mel, thanks for the insightful comment.
Delete1. That's why you have to choose dating apps well. Happn seems to be doing well so, I guess Happn works for some.
2. Well, a possible safeguard for that is to talk on the person slowly on the app. If the connection is sincere, it's certain that exchanging of social media, phone numbers and such will follow. These can help to identify if a person is the same on and offline.
3. That is interesting. I almost forgot that we are social beings, it's proven.
Holograms? I thought the future of dating would be robots. However the simulation version of a dating app shown in Black Mirror would be cool as well.
ReplyDeleteFrom all the three apps mentioned, I've only use OkayCupid. It's pretty good, so far it has gotten me matches with people who are surprisingly similarly to me. I don't know them but at the same time it's kind of like I do.
That's true. You can never be sure of who's on the other side but, apps like OKcupid help to reduce that ambiguity.
DeleteNo way, holograms aren't gonna work for me, that's for sure. Well yeah, sure, there're countless benefits to the IOT. It has brought a huge deal of convenience to the masses, and opened up possibilities that weren't available years ago, particularly in this day and age where everyone is 'busy' all the time. But technology can never replace real life interaction in my opinion. There're subtleties such as the human touch & presence which are irreplaceable & I would argue, essential for well-being.
ReplyDeleteThat's true Jess, holding hands and even at a basic level, hugging has been shown to have benefits on a person's well being.
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ReplyDeleteHolographic companionship can definitely be an exciting and convenient implementation to dating apps, as long as it is a accurate simulation of one in real life. This will allow you and your dates to first get to know each other, saving the "awkward first date" moment when you and you date don't click.
ReplyDeleteInteresting, I never thought there could be a benefit to Holographic companionship. Thanks for sharing that.
DeleteHolographic companionship is interesting and convenient but it will definitely take a bit of time to get used to. Personally I prefer real-life interaction.
ReplyDeleteSo do I Hannah. So do I. Real life interaction beats virtual interactions any day in my book.
DeleteHolographic companionship is an interesting concept, but I don't think I would be a taker of this technology as I personally prefer real-life interaction. However, I think this would be an interesting idea to adapt it for the use of it assisting me with certain house chores at home, e.g.: Reminding me to pay my bills and running errands. 🤣
ReplyDeleteOn a side note, do you think having this holographic companionship poses any cons for the consumer?
Cool. Yeah a holographic person reminding you sounds nice. I guess, a real downside to that is once again, it may replace human interactions.
DeleteHey Naren, thanks for replying me. Yes, the downside for replacing human interaction is definitely something that is worth considering ;)
DeleteIndeed. Interactions are irreplaceable in my book
DeleteDo you think dating apps can solve the late dating problems, which may lead to late marriage, which in turn causes low birth rate?
ReplyDeleteI think it might. Dating apps expose you to potential dates much faster than in real life.
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