Mikaela Labar
COMM 273
Dr. Romanelli
Reflection 3
Mediated Communication, Technology and Dating The continued advancement of information and communication technologies has virtualized interpersonal communication process in various ways. Initial definitions of Interpersonal Communication indicated that the interaction/s needs to be face-to-face, but now with technological innovations the concept is getting disputed. In terms of dating (within my age group), prevalent usage of dating websites, and phone apps such as Tinder, OkCupid, and Match are normal and standard. In an article published in The Atlantic it stated, “American adults ages 18 to 24 used online-dating sites and apps at an average rate for all American adults—about 10 percent. Since then, that rate has almost tripled. College-aged and post-college-aged Americans are now the most likely demographic to turn to the technology” (Robinson Meyer, The Atlantic.com). The interactions and behaviors of dating using
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I am a big believer of “think before you act” which can save any trouble or conflict than it creates. Numerous forms of mediated communication allow pause or they’re “asynchronous meaning they allow you to think about messages before sending them” (184). I highly utilize this function in any of my mediated interactions because it doesn’t consent me to be impulsive about my actions, and I can avoid saying something I may regret later. The pause option gives me time to reevaluate what I’m sending and or expressing before I actually say/send them. Mediated communication is the “think before you act” in a technological form. Furthermore, I think that is why online dating are so popular and successful in my age cohort because it allows us to catch our mistakes, reassess our words and be more empathic about the other’s feelings before actually saying/sending the message/s to
In Brooks’ essay, his thesis states that “[t]he online dating world is superficially cynical . . . But love is what this is all about. And the heart, even in this commercial age, finds a way”(222)—implying that, although not perfect, online romance can work. He evidences his statement by illustrating how online dating “slows things down” (221), “puts structure back into courtship” (221), and “is at
In “Technology Isn’t Ruining Modern Dating--Humans are” (New Statesman Network, August 7, 2015), Barbara Speed argues the success of online dating websites did not cause people to pursue hook-up culture, but instead the culture influenced companies to cater the needs of already interested people. Essentially, Speed characterizes online dating as a business. If people did not want such a fast paced dating world they wouldn't download the apps to find so-called lovers. Personally, I have never tried online dating myself; therefore, never put myself in a situation where I was judged romantically in a matter of seconds behind a screen. Additionally, people no longer want to spend too much of their time and effort with a person when they can go on their phones and talk to someone with similar intentions in a matter of hours. For instance, Slater’s case study, Jacob, right after he was dumped by a long term girlfriend, he instantly revisited his old dating profile and quickly started seeing girl after girl. However, he has a history of being a passive, negotiator, and low striving guy looking for a girl to fill a void in his life. Hence, Slater fails to mention that people are responsible for their own actions on dating websites regardless of receiving encouraging notifications from old
Wortham makes this clear throughout the entirety of the article. "We are now in constant communication with our friends, coworkers and families over the course of the day. These interactions can help us feel physically close, even if they happen through a screen" (Wortham 394). This constant communication allows for people to remain close with friends and family, even if there is a substantial distance between each other. It is at this moment when Wortham appeals to the reader’s emotional side and draws their attention. This method of communication is far more casual than that of an email or phone call, which allows for people to feel more comfortable (Wortham 394). Upon reading this statement, readers feel as if they are being sold this idea of dating apps and other social media tools. Is this an article about the positive and negative effects of communication via social media, or an article persuading the audience to use these dating
Flirting is a technique used by people in order to attract a certain type of person. As IISuperwomanII (2015) describes, flirting has changed dramatically since the introduction of technology. “E-flirting” is a type of flirting IISuperwomanII says is the most common in the present because of all the applications the internet and social media can have. Physical beauty standards have also changed since the 1940’s. For example, modest clothing and natural beauty were the norms of fashion trends in the 1940’s whereas today fashion is notably less conservative. Women and girls will often wear revealing clothing in order to gain male’s attention and wear makeup that may be considered exotic by 1940’s standards. Researchers have also commented one the changing society. “But first impressions are important - and have become more so as societies become increasingly mobile and urbanised and as contacts with people become more fleeting.” (Berscheid, 1981; cited in Myers, 2013) This is when online dating plays a role. In the past, the thought of picking a life partner through something similar to a television screen would have been absurd. But now, online dating is quickly becoming a norm of dating.
People tend to lose their social skills and interactions because online dating makes it easier to communicate with others. At one point Witt compares meeting people on the app Tinder to meeting people in a bar. “Tinder, she says is just how you would go about things at a bar.” (278). Because people become custom to finding “at the moment” relations they tend to find online dating or pick up dates while drunk easier than going out and just meeting new people the traditional way. In contrast, Carbone and Cahn talks about how couples that link up and get married they usually strive for long lasting relationships unlike the app Tinder. “The app is about the world around you, the people in your immediate vicinity, and the desires of a particular moment” (280). While on Tinder users tend to look for dates for the night. Carbone and Cahn noticed that marriages are set up by roles and beneficial for a family. One example they gave that married couples do is called “gender barging”. These changes fundamentally alter the “gender bargain”, that is the terms on which men and women find it worthwhile to forge lasting relationships.” This quote gives the opposite explanation to how people that meet traditionally strive for longer lasting and family based relationships rather than “at the moment”
There is no doubt that recent technological advancements have changed the way humans interact with one another in the 21st century. Through email, text messages, and social networking sites, we are able to get in touch with people all over the world in a much faster and more efficient manner than in previous years. Since modern technology has become such an integral part of our everyday lives, it is certainly not uncommon for two people to meet and connect with each other via the Internet. Members of this relatively new subculture of online daters invest a great deal of time and energy into their romantic affairs. In fact, according to Robert Epstein’s “The Truth About Online Dating,” advertising materials from the largest online dating services suggest that over 50 million Americans are currently using such services, and that they are wholly satisfied with the results (34). Unfortunately, however, the controversial subject of online relationships in modern society is frequently misrepresented by the media. Many films and television shows exaggerate the risks associated with online dating, choosing to highlight extreme examples of lies and deception for the sake of maintaining their dramatic quality. Other forms of media tend to romanticize online dating, consequently giving Internet users unrealistic expectations for their own relationships. Whether it depicts the frightening or idealized side of online dating, popular culture makes a conscious effort to feature sensationalized stories in order to appeal to a target audience that relies solely on entertainment. As a result, the truth about Internet dating is not adequately conveyed, which ultimately results in the public’s distorted image of such online practices.
The uses of these dating sites and apps have greatly inclined. In 2008, only three percent of Americans used an online dating site now that has increased to nine percent (Ambrose and Palm). The whole concept of meeting a potential girlfriend or boyfriend at a public setting is no longer a
With social networking services being more and more popular, it is universal to have online dating. According to a report, “over 40 million Americans have given online dating a try, and over a third of the American couples married between 2005 and 2012 met online.” This phenomenon causes us to think deeply about whether online dating is advisable or not. Because of the rapid development of technology and economy, many stressed people are eagerly seeking confidence and self-identity through the internet. Therefore, online dating has become a new and acceptable method of loving subconsciously. However, it should never replace meeting a person in real life because it may be spurious, illusory and fragile.
In this article, “Love Me Tinder”, by Emily Witt. Ms, Witt talks about how over the recent years dating has changed quite a bit. Dating used to be about meeting people in your social group now many people have been using dating sites to find people. The author tells how Tinder has become so popular compared to most dating site and she shows how Tinder is different and similar to other dating sites. The author shows how much a generation can change the way people due dating by just an app for dating,
That is why I believe a lot of people turn to technology. One of the biggest influences in technology are smart phones. Smart phones have access to unlimited amounts of apps and social media sites. Today’s apps aren’t your simple gaming apps anymore. There are a number of dating apps, which allow users to interact with one another, without actually having to have face-to-face contact. This lack of face-to-face contact may increase an individual’s confidence, because it decreases an individual’s fear of being rejected. Dating apps and websites alone, have change the way people date in today’s
Social networking and other social technology allows for interactions to occur between friends and family regardless of their location. While people remain social through communicating at a constant rate, the essence of face-to-face interactions is in part affected. In romantic relationships, open and honest communication with one’s partner is critical to the trust and development of the relationship. Young adults use social technology such as the Internet and mobile phones on a daily basis to maintain their relationships. Due to the miscommunication that often occurs from not a lack of face-to-face interactions, social technology shapes the way romantic relationships function. Therefore, social technology impacts romantic relationships through a technological determinist outlook, leading to trust and dissatisfaction issues through the Internet and mobile devices, thus negatively changing face-to-face relationships. Different rhetoric of online communication shapes and transforms problems such as deception in online dating, social monitoring and control on social networking sites, creates negative interpretations and implications of text messages, and thus creates a new image and mindset of romantic relationships.
After doing more research in the impact of technology on interpersonal relation, I realized that technology isn’t all that great, because it hinder us from socializing practically and create a healthy interpersonal relationship. In like manner, the same goes for online dating because in my opinion, effective communication still needs to be done in person. Body language, voice tone, and physical contact make a huge difference in making conversation more alive.
Based on a research of Online Dating & Relationships, Smith and Duggan stated that the ways of finding partners have been changed with the times. In the past, people used matchmaking, arranged marriages and printed personal ads. With the rapid technology advancement, there are alternative methods - online dating sites and smart phone dating apps. To compare with the people who date traditionally, people who date online are active to choose their dream man or woman by browsing the others profiles (9).
In the twenty-first century, we use the internet for almost everything that we do. We use search engines such as Bing or Google to find information. Websites like Netflix and Hulu allow us to watch shows and movies without an expensive cable or satellite subscription. Social networks provide a new way to communicate with friends and family. Entire companies are run through the internet. With gas prices rising every day, it has also become increasingly popular to see a lot of jobs turn to telecommuting. It’s only natural that as other aspects of our lives conform to the internet, that online dating should also begin to be more prevalent in how we form new romantic relationships. Online dating is the new normal, and this is more evident now than ever.
Online dating offers chances to people who feel more comfortable behind a screen rather than getting so nervous in front of a person that they are unable to speak. It allows them to interact with someone whom they would be uneasy to speak with in real life. Moreover, in traditional dating first impressions truly matter while online, people have chosen the best for their dating profiles. “People were ready to admit that going on actual "dates" was full of pressure and not very enjoyable. Traditional dating, they pointed out, encouraged an overly formal, inauthentic vibe that ultimately hindered instead of helped their efforts to make romantic connections” (Massa). Many do feel shy to ask the person they are interested in on an official date as they are not actually sure what the other person feels and needs more than the opinion of friends to take a step while asking someone online relieves that stress as the possibility of seeing that person in real life is low along with it messing with the asker’s personal life if it is a