Putting a Price on Cyber Love. The recent purchase of a British matchmaking website for $150 million is just the latest indication of users' growing love affair with online dating. By Joanna Glasner. [Wired News]
Reading this article, I went to have a look at udate, and I signed up on a trail basis, just for the halibut.
I've been a bit dismissive of dating agencies of any kind, being more of a star-crossed lovers kind of guy. "The Universe will bring us together". That sort of thing. Thing is, the Universe has obviously been busy doing other things recently.
I found the whole registration and profiling process at udate very simple, and quite interesting in itself. The concept of being really honest about myself if quite a novel one. I'm not used to anonymity, so it's taken a few passes to get things vaguely right. I still think I need to be more specific in certain areas, so I may tweak things a bit.
Anyway, results so far: 3 e-mails from women on my first day. Thing is, I have to pay for a proper membership if I want to read the e-mails.
No wonder udate got bought for $150 million. Who wouldn't pay £16.95 to read more than the first line of three emails from prospective romantic partners? I just hope they say more than:
"Hi Julius,
I was thinking of contacting you, but when I saw the photograph you posted of yourself I backed-off in a hurry. Have you considered going to a professional photographer? They can do wonders with good lighting and a soft filter. Perhaps plastic surgery..." and so on.
(Actually, I think my photo is OK).
There is one person in particular who looks really attractive. She may be a bit sporty for me. (I have the athletic prowess of a sloth on barbiturates). But she did mail me. A concept I like. Even a disastrous date with her would probably be worth £16.95.
Women actively taking an interest in me is unusual. I'm not sure if this is because I give out a "not looking, thanks very much" vibe, or if my extreme height puts them off (or perhaps I don't notice them down there). Perhaps it's the fact that when I go out these days I mostly go out as a woman? Who can say?
High on my match list is a 6 foot tall Dane, living in London. Unfortunately, she hasn't filled in any interest nor personality details. (Mind you, being a 6 foot tall Danish girl is probably sufficient!)
If I do pay-up and start dating, something I haven't done since, well, ever, really, I'm going to have to curb my imagination. I have the merest prospect of a date and already I see pain, humiliation and compromise unfolding in my mind. The pot with the rabbit in it is already boiling. She is already hiding the the bathroom with the carving knife. Her cousin Mario is already selecting a suitable building for me to become the foundations of. (You see, I had a troubled childhood. Trust doesn't come easy to me.)
I would ask that both of the semi-regular visitors to this wish me luck, and please send calming vibes. I think I'm going to need them.
10:11:19 AM 
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