The Future of Dating

In today's society we have seen such a pivotal shift in technology within the last nineteen years. Movies like Spike Jonze's Her encapsulate the direction our world is headed, a world dependent on technology for establishing relationships.

Honestly, what's the point of leaving home?

It's not a farfetched idea when you go to a coffee shop and take note of all the people who are within an arms length of you, yet are immersed in what they see on their laptops, tablets and smart phones. Or the friend of yours who cannot walk away from their phone because it must be on them at all times. We desire contact and yet know not how to achieve it through basic human interaction.

Many more people these days are relying on the internet and dating apps to help them with these connections. I have to be honest soldiers, there really isn't a problem with trying to connect through online platforms. What concerns me is the coldness that comes with technology. A text message replaces a phone call. A dating website substitutes a person going out and forcing themselves to be in a social setting. The dating game has changed where sometimes people appear too aloof and appear uninterested; then the spark just burns out. The main concern I have here is that people will forget how to communicate and connect with others.

I do not see technology as the enemy here, it is our dependence on it that worries me. I have lately been on the app Tinder. An app that started apparently as a hook up app, but has since cleaned up it's act and is now for dating. I have met many different kinds of guys on it. One who was self involved and seemed to possess a hatred for women because he wasn't yet over his ex who burned him. Another guy who was emotionally unavailable, yet became a dear friend. A guy who did not believe in making plans until the last minute, and a guy who was trying to figure out his own wants and desires after coming out of a longterm relationship.

We are all at our different stages. All works in progress who continue to grow and learn from our experiences as well as the connections we make along the way. It is essential we reach out and get off those devices so we can have that human interaction. You can see someone on a screen who looks great, but suddenly you have no chemistry once you two meet up. A screen cannot show you a person is a gentleman, or has a sense of humor.

Long story short: the most important advice I can give you, is do not deny yourself the chance to find someone who makes you happy.

Cuddles, hugs and kisses? You can't get that from Siri.

Life is what you make of it, Soldiers. So make the most of every moment.

Love,

Jane Doe