Online DatingBy: Allen Lin

Nathalie Tabunar

Definition:

The practice of searching for a romantic or sexual partner on the Internet, typically via

a dedicated website.

Meet Nev

In 2010, a documentary film called “Catfish” was released. With the help of his friends, Nev filmed a success story about his experience of being “catfished”.

Catfished?

According to Urban Dictionary, a catfish is “someone who pretends to be someone they’re not [by] using Facebook or other social media to create [false] identities.”

Nev’s Story: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1xp4M0IjzcQ

Mr. Bosanko, pssst… Please show them the video.

Conclusion [of the video]:

Nev was victimized by the powers of the Internet. Megan turned out to be a 40 year old mom with some troubles. Nev’s expectations were brought down and ended up broken hearted.

Reality vs. Expectations

Angela Wesselman Megan Faccio

How did this affect Nev and Angela?

● Large emotional investment on both sides from beginning to end

● Nev experiences disappointment● Angela feels guilt● They learn from their experiences● Emotional and mental development

occurs

Question: How does reason justify the use of technology for human relationships?

Claim: Online dating is sufficient enough for the fulfillment of the human need of interaction.

KI: How does technology allow these types of relationships flourish?

Statistics:● Online daters: 41,250,000● Annual revenue from the online dating industry: $1,249,000,000

● Male online dating users: 52.4%● Female online dating users: 47.6%● Women who have sex on the first online dating

encounter: 33%● Sex offenders who use online dating to meet

people: 10%

Dating Online:

● Official Online Dating Websites○ match.com○ eHarmoney.com

● Virtual Dating● Social Networks

○ Facebook○ Instagram○ Tumblr

Ethics:

● Is it true love or a heart wrenching danger lurking?○ Stalking○ Theft○ Kidnapping○ Sexual Abuse○ Frauds/Fakes○ Lies

Ethics cont.● Culture

○ Families have a strong tradition and are strongly against online dating

○ Some say that online dating is “taking society back to a pre-modern version of arranged marriages. I would say it is worse. Society has invited the language and practice of market rationality into its midst. It has taken over not merely communal aspects of society, but the very essence of what it means to be human.”

Reason

● Easier for “antisocial” males and females

● The limitations of location (long-distance relationship)

● The need for immediate companionship

● Several options● Escape from reality● No obligations

Emotions● Emotional investment takes tolls on a

person● There is a sense of thrill in

participating○ Initial feeling of “falling in love”○ Excitement and pleasure of meeting new

people

● Takes over and clouds judgement○ Like Adrenaline○ Makes the heart beat faster + “butterflies”

● Allows the person to fantasize without judgement

Language

● With the use of technology (laptops, cell phones, etc.) language is the only type of communication between two people

● Manipulation of language determines their compatibility ○ Shows personality○ Only available information that a person can

use to judge the candidate (Perception)

Sense Perception

● Lack of sense perception, except for:○ Sight ○ Hear

● Most valuable part of human relationships○ Friendships, Familial, Lovers, etc.○ Missing “the very essence of what it means to be

human”

● Strengthens relationships

Counterclaim

• Claim: Online dating is sufficient enough for the fulfillment of the human need of interaction.

• There are chances of people connecting online and having a happily ever after ending

• Through the use of technology they were able to meet, mingle, and ditch being single.

• 17% of online daters married according to statistics

Conclusion

When it boils down to it, humans are humans and our nature is to communicate with each other; this involves physical interactions, verbal communication, and personal understanding of each other. Nothing beats that!

Question:

•Should we use online dating to find our “soul mates”?

Thank you!