In this "have it your way" Burger King age, online dating offers a plethora of choices for even the most discerning date/relationship seeker. Internet dating sites have a low barrier of entry for doing business. You can buy a domain name for $.99, get a online server and a basic design for less than $500. This has created a landscape littered with niche sites aimed at capturing even the smallest crowd of people.
We waited is for people who "say" they are virgins and would like to hook up with other virgins. The site conducts background checks on its perspective members to ensure they are virgins (how they do that is an entirely different conversation!). Veggie lovers can find someone who enjoys the bounty of the land as much as they do. Have you ever wanted to find someone who loves the punk rock lifestyle as much as you do? What about that yearning desire to find your soul mate behind bars? Are you a woman with the burning desire to upgrade your cupsize? Click through these links to discover your paradise!
There are literally thousands of other sites. Sites for Trekkies, Harvard grad lovers, little people, tall people and everything in between. Crime should not be so high in the world. Just get on the internet, find what you want, relieve your stress and live the rest of your life.
http://www.switched.com/2009/08/05/17-niche-dating-sites-for-specialty-lovers/
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/06/fashion/06Niche.html
I think that these sites have caused a rather large shift on social views of how life should be lived. People can live in fantasy worlds never dealing with reality by meeting exact specifications of what they want. There is no real learning or compromising. In the world compromise is a daily tool people need to be well armed with. I am just wondering how people feel about how much these sites have changed societal views? As well as do these sites support strange fetishes that people would otherwise be forced to over come or forget?
ReplyDeleteI agree with the comment above. Even though these sites are a great interaction tool for those who may be too shy to go out and put everything out in the public world or want to find their special niche, it is harming that compromise and interaction. Personally, I could not fall in love with someone who was exactly like me in every facet of life. I want to have to make compromises and learn to grow based on our experiences together. Just something I was thinking about reading this post.
ReplyDeleteYeah... This post is disturbing and intriguing all at the same time, and I do agree with the other comments above to a certain extent... At the same time, though, I would assume that the people who go to these sites to find a very specific "type" of person don't really care to compromise their beliefs, values, or lifestyles... That's why they went to that site in the first place! So I guess for these specific users, general online dating sites aren't what they wanted them to be.
ReplyDeleteAlso, just because someone is a vegetarian or a virgin or a punk rock person, doesn't mean each and every person will be exactly the same "in every facet of life," as another comment stated. I think its universal that people who are exactly alike are typically not compatible, but I don't think these niche sites create that because they are targeting one specific personality trait or lifestyle choice, but that's not to say that their user base is 100% homogenous.
As stated in your article, online dating has recently become very popular. This is such a broad topic and there are many different viewpoints concerning online dating. There are many statistics associated with online dating that are shocking. There are also many dangers with online dating. How are you to know if the person you just met online is not married, or even worse, a pedaphile. But on the other end of the spectrum, there are many success stories of people who have found their spouses on dating websties.
ReplyDeleteIt is really interesting to hear about sites like this. i dont understand how websites like this actually make money but its entertaining to hear about. i guess if you were really into your niche market you would join sites like these.
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