Within the last couple of years, online dating websites have become one of the most common ways to meet someone. It is a way for people to meet someone online in order to start dating, a relationship, or even lead to a marriage. In order to use an online dating site, a person must first make a profile of themselves, in which they list specific characteristics, likes, dislikes, personal information, and even pictures. This profile serves as a list of what a person wishes for others to see, it is often what they consider to be their most attractive traits. People hide the skeletons in their closet because of the fear that if they show any weaknesses on their profile, they will not meet their soul mate. Media forces us to hide important parts of our lives and create a façade of what we believe to be perfection through online dating profiles. People feel obligated to post pictures of themselves in bathing suits or minimal clothing in order to attract others. Media influences our perceptions of what is attractive and what is socially acceptable to show the world.
Along with media constructing our personal profiles, there are many advertisements along the sides of dating sites such as E-Harmony, which distracts the user from finding true love. Croteau and Hoynes express that “Marshall McLuhan (1964) wrote that with the rise of electronic media, ‘we have extended our central nervous system itself in a global embrace’ (p. 19)” (Media Society 337). McLuhan is right in that our whole central nervous system, or society, is now available, or becoming available, on the internet. Through the internet and dating websites, anyone is a few seconds away from being connected, in a relationship, or even married. Communication and peoples’ personal lives are heavily influenced by media. Using online dating sites, such as E-Harmony, allow people to create a profile of themselves. Through these profiles, they attempt to create a façade of perfection by hiding their flaws and subjecting themselves to the media movement.
As you can see in the pictures, E-Harmony advertises itself to be a happy site where love can easily be found. There are pictures below of different advertisements and profiles made my users of E-Harmony.
Below is a Mad TV parody video of an E-Harmony commercial (this is fake!):
Lisa,
ReplyDeleteI completely agree that dating websites serve as mediums in society. One of my mom's friends was on match.com, which has an application where you can have a representative from the website construct your profile and teach you how to appropriately respond to messages. These members get added bonuses (they pay more for the package), and are portrayed as "popuar" on the website. I find it extremely interesting that these sites have taken human communication to the next level, by adding a 3rd party to aid someone on what words to say and what pictures to post.
Great insights!
MM
Lisa,
ReplyDeleteE-Harmony has been really interesting over the past few years. It is further proof that we are truly moving to a completely electronic age. I think it is interesting to consider the current divorce rate in the U.S. I believe it is close to 50 percent. As online dating continues to grow, I think it will be interesting to watch the divorce rate.