Online Dating: New Perspectives

Next Wave of Dating Mania?

I'm often intrigued at how often social activities are turned into avenues for finding a potential mate. I'm not particularly fond of the contemporary dating philosophy (movies, expensive dinners, flashy cars, etc). Angela and I are looking for others ways to help some of my single friends find good mates (it's not as easy as you think).

Everything Else
That doesn't mean I'm automatically a fan of any alternative courtship method. I wasn't much for the internet dating sites of the late 90s and I'm certainly not a fan of those 1900 numbers that are common around here. I was, however, supportive of "group" dating (where a prospective couples went out in a group of mutual friends). I even liked the idea of getting to know someone better by watching them play sports. Great, clean, safe ways of finding out more about a prospective mate. 

MMORPG-Dating: Unsettling
I'm not so sure of this MMORPG-dating (Massive Multiplayer Online Role Playing Games). On one hand, it seems to bring together the pros from sports dating and the cons of online dating (vomit) to produce something seemingly) effective. Yet there's something about the general anonymity and non-commitment to accountability (especially about behaviors in an online game setting) that is unsettling. Here's BBC's take on it:

"You can easily gauge some of the slipperiest aspects of human nature by observing someone's tactics. Are they a risk-taker? Do they panic under pressure? Do they respond to failure with frustration or creativity? Are they a gracious winner or a griping loser? A loner or a team-player? Perfectionist or bodger? Is winning all that matters, or will they risk death to pull a prank or tell a joke?

Dinner and a movie may well give you a chance to check out the basics - minor details like physical appearance, age, sex, gender and race - but it's hard to beat a game for how much it will show you of someone's character, and how quickly. "

Sweet, Sweet Evercrack = Sweet Sweet Love?
Then, there's the MMORPG "Ever-Crack / World of Warcrack" thing. It's addictive, it's absorbing, and it's life-altering - I'm skeptical if a projection of mass fantasy can be a good vehicle for finding a good mate. I mean, is it even good sense to think that you could find a good mate in a place where people are more comfortable hiding behind virtual avatars?

Hey, It's Just A Game After All
I filled an entire teenhood with games, and I'm glad to have left that life behind. I assure you I'm trying my best to be objective about this, but as I ponder more about it, I can't seem to shake off the feeling that it's mostly a bad idea. MMORPGs, as with any game, has the player is projecting a fantastical virtual behavior in a virtual world. Sure, they're a team-player, but how sure are you they are going to be that way in a couple relationship?

Maybe I'm a skeptic, but I don't think this will help those throngs of singles (many of whom are very sweet ladies) a single bit.

 

Comments

[nethover]

Nice blog.If feel interested,I provide some useful information about dating ideas on my blog: dating.online-assistant.info.

[Adrian Koh]

Thanks, nethover, for the kind words. I'll pop by your blog soon! :)