convenient dating vs. compatible dating

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>.