Popular Culture Review Volume 30, Number 2, Summer 2019 | Page 124

Dating in the Digital Age : A Research Experiment
indicator of unrealistic expectations and a harmful dynamic technology can leverage on otherwise healthy and more natural human communication patterns ( e . g . meeting faceto-face ). Also , it should be noted , had I conducted this experiment in a small rural town , reaching such high match figures would not have been feasible . New York provided a unique cultural space in which to test out these ideas . With that , ask any single New Yorker about their dating experiences and they will likely have a combination of funny and sad stories to share .
CONCLUSION
I am not a dating expert . I set out to experiment with the complex and nuanced relationship between technology and human communication in attempts to gain greater insight into the landscape of dating in the digital age . Online dating , be it through whatever form one chooses , is as diverse as the individuals partaking in the process . Sure , Tinder has rightfully earned a reputation as a hook-up app , but there are many stories of real romance and marriage developing from it as well . Thus , numerous variables must be considered when using technology as a means of pursuing any type of relationship , romantic or otherwise .
Throughout this experiment , I found that my initial hypothesis did ring true : app-based dating can provide a superficial experience , as well as a breakdown in communication and mutual respect , due to the technologically mediated nature of the connections . However , I also learned that the underlying reason people navigate such an exhausting dating landscape is to fulfill the common human goal of sharing mutual love . Because in the end , it really is about finding and maintaining human companionship , and it is up to us to utilize these digital media technologies in way that enhances our various
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