So, why is this the case? The ultimate goal of online dating apps should be to function as a conduit in creating committed relationships, right? Wrong. The realm of online dating has become a multi-billion dollar industry — an industry that profits primarily off of user addiction, especially by keeping its users single. The way that the industry accomplishes this is twofold, relying on qualities of gamification and what psychologist Barry Schwartz refers to as the “paradox of choice.”
The presence of the choice paradox in online dating is perhaps best understood through the analogy of online shopping. Studies have shown that as shoppers are exposed to more options for potential purchases, they are paradoxically less likely to be satisfied with their ultimate decision. As our brains become inundated with a variety of choices, we often experience choice paralysis: An anxiety-induced state that prevents us from making a resounding decision.
On Tinder, the user’s experience of choice overload has become a frequent occurrence. In the emergence of what some are calling “serial swipers,” many users can be seen displaying strong hesitations to commit to a singular option due to fears of missing out on a potentially better one.
The infiltration of the choice paradox into the realm of relationships is especially dangerous. Unlike the case of online shopping, users aren’t choosing between products, they’re choosing between people. The resulting world of online dating has become a breeding ground for objectification, sexual harassment and insecurity, as choices are increasingly influenced by abundance and appearances rather than genuine compatibility.
The instant gratification offered by each ‘match’ causes the idea of exclusivity to appear unsettling, with many individuals remaining addicted to these apps even in committed relationships. Specifically, 30% of Tinder users are married, and another 12% are in relationships. Because of this, the online dating world has become a hotbed for cheating and noncommittal sex. Users find themselves immersed in an endless, twisted game, where matches and hookups function as points to keep score.
Critical support to dating apps in their ongoing destruction of :amerikkka:
Unlike the case of online shopping, users aren’t choosing between products, they’re choosing between people
:marx: :i-told-you-dog:
I have a friend, guy in his early 20s, kind of a nerd but overall a good guy, who gave himself a slight makeover and put himself out there on the dating apps. In six months, the only contact he’s gotten is scams, and it is definitely a blow to his self esteem.
the apps are such shit. probably two thirds of the profiles I see are just women trying to get followers for their instagram. then there’s the snapchat in bio scammers, the sex workers with a location 1000 miles away. Plus the godawful gender ratio and it’s just a horrible demoralizing experience
I still do it though, I have one (1) semi-regular FWB I met on an app so I guess it’s worth it? :/
I still do it though, I have one (1) semi-regular FWB I met on an app so I guess it’s worth it? :/
beats my 0 FWBs so yes it’s worth it
So that settles the question for me lol
Why fucking bother with the apps? Pessimists stay winning (we will still complain tho)
:volcel-vanguard: 4 lyfe
In the socialist/communist future technical dating apps would a boon for singles. I am totally not against online dating or mobile dating software, I just think they are a good solution but exist in the worst possible social/economic organization currently.
Technology under capitalism is truly cursed.
It so insane that these platforms market themselves as services to help people facilitate the most human basic desire and manage to parasitical syphon our coin and confidence at the same time. The fact they are designed to keep you “engaged” and on the platform rather than actually meeting people just sucks so much
Wake up baby.
Time to repost the survey of E and W Germany showing the quality of women’s sex lives was significantly better in E Germany.
It’s fucking wild how you can tell someone this is the case, prove it to them, and they believe you. And then they go back to the same old habits.
addiction be like that
42% of tinder users aren’t single? That can’t possibly be right
ppl in the imperial core being deceitful and selfish? never!
If you don’t like the dating apps don’t use them. They’re not creating any more problems. They haven’t taken anything away from meeting people in real life.
They haven’t taken anything away from meeting people in real life.
and how the heck do you do that (esp. being poor, and as an introvert) these days? :yes-honey-left:
(esp. being poor, and as an introvert) these days?
if you figure it out let us know
if you figure it out
:sadness-abysmal:
:yea:
Except everyone else is using them and that affects you because you live in a society.
- You lose opportunity to meet new potential mates because they’re only using dating apps (and more likely only know how to date via them).
- You have to deal with other people who have been mentally affected by using dating apps.
- Unless they’ve been inoculated with some amount of critical theory, it’s totally rational for cishet males become a red-pill dipshits solely based their experiences with these apps.
I don’t think I’m unattractive (tall, white, young, average physically active dude w/ no muscles bc I dislike the gym) but I very rarely get likes on the apps anymore
Partially my own fault but I haven’t dated anyone in 6 months bc at least 95% of conversations are like 1-2 messages then radio silence. Most bios contain no information about things that are important to me like hobbies, and I’m uncomfortable with flirting 🤷♂️
I think hinge is the best one but all of them suck
30% of users being married is absolutely wild to me lmao
Women rate 80% of men as below average.
:yea:
Women rate 80% of men as below average.
have you met 80% of men?
I wouldn’t say that the sexual harassment is the fault of the app. Other than that I don’t see a problem. Seems like a skill issue lest you try to control how people relate to one another. Any sort of paradox of choice can be resolved by just choosing or just deleting the app. There’s no good, orthodox, leftist way to use Twitter, you just probably shouldn’t. There’s no good, orthodox leftist way to smoke cigarettes or gamble either. Play the game or get out of the way.
The only argument I see from my point of view is an argument about the algorithm being anti-competitive, but the idea that having a bunch of choice is bad seems weak.
lest you try to control how people relate to one another
doesn’t the dating app format literally do that with its users
