Do you remember pagers? Why were they so amazing? I remember one day in high school. My mom walked into the kitchen while I was quietly, but very quickly, typing a text on an old Nokia. “Who are you talking to, text messages are expensive!” I remember the wave of guilt flowing through my veins, Ugh. 10 cents each. I know. ”Mom! It’s Allen! He just asked me what I was doing, but he put a winky face. I think he wants to go to the movies!” “Ha. Back in my day, a boy would just grab his balls and ask you to your face, no winks about it.”

The Transition

Let’s begin with a quick skip into the past. How did we get to where we are today? What role did each step play in bringing us further away from a potential mate’s face?

The Pager

The pager did more than deliver call back numbers; it delivered encrypted messages, too. 911 stood for emergency, 187 stood for I hate you, and 143 was a cute way of saying I love you. You see, back then emotions were as simple as 1, 2, 3.

SMS

Human beings are great at retaining information, yes, but there’s always limit. I wanted to tell her that I liked her (165) but accidentally told her that I stole her credit card (156). So with the introduction of SMS, things got a lot easier: You could still tell your lover that you stole her credit card, and so.. much.. more. All with the ability to do so at your convenience, without the embarrassment of being face to face.

Suddenly, confessing your love to your high school crush got a ton easier. And the suspense you felt every time you waited for a response was totally worth it.

Pre-MySpace: Email, Instant Messaging and Chat Rooms

The thrill of SMS with the speed of your fingers against the keyboard… without the $.10 charge. Forget confessing your love to a crush, this Pre-MySpace era gave rise to the ability to create whole new personas. Were you once shy and socially awkward? Not anymore. You could be anyone – even the cool kid at school with 7 boyfriends and an already developed C-cup. You could flirt shamelessly and not be held accountable for it the next day. Instant messager was incredible – jump on at 1 am .. make up or break up.

Social Network

Sending each other messages back and forth, only to be followed by an awkward, “Can you send me a pic of yourself?” got lame – we’re a visual species. And so came social networks. MySpace in the lead, Facebook soon to follow. Flirt privately or publicly, whatever gave you thrills. With a new awesome profile pic, you were sure no member of the opposite sex would ever turn you down.

PS: Look how awesome I am, my friends leave me awesome wall posts and I have awesome pictures of myself just having an awesome time. My boyfriend cheated on me? No Biggie. Here I am in Cancun with Rico and Joel. 

Online Dating Sites

The revolution everyone was waiting for, but was too scared to request. Balls out, online dating is the accumulation of everything before it. The difference here? There’s no bullshit. It’s clear as day: “Hi. I’m Chiara and I am online to find a mate.” Bam.

Why It’s Awesome

So here we are, 2012. We flirt via text, Twitter and Facebook. We ask each other out through emails and wall posts. Little by little, we’re seeing less of each other’s faces and more of each other’s default pics. Let’s be honest, dating really isn’t what it used to be. So before we talk about the inevitable need for more face to face time, let’s take the time to appreciate the good great that dating 2.0 has brought us.

• The once shy nerd is sending you sexy sexts. The screen is an incredible security blanket.
• Constant contact, when done right, brings forth instant gratification and in turn makes us happier individuals.
• We’re lazy. When dating multiple people (in the dating phase, of course) sometimes it’s just easier to copy and paste.
• You can say whatever you want to say and if you don’t like the response, you can delete it without anyone seeing your face.
• Block people. Don’t you wish you could do that in real life? You’re annoying me. User Blocked.
• I’m sure a flower left on your door step would bring you butterflies. But the great thing about dating 2.0 is that a simple MMS picture of a flower will bring about the same emotion – and no plants had to die in the process.

But Exercise Caution

To tell you to walk away from technology and instead bring back medieval time courtship would be completelypointless. Technology is here to stay, as are text messages, emails, tweets and pokes. But the beauty of Dating 2.0. can also be your worst enemy. Part of the dating process is, in fact, the path to self discovery. You’re supposed to realize you’re a shy little cowardly lion in need to find his courage. You’re supposed to overcome your fears by walking up to your dream girl and singing a song to confess your love.

Ok. I know, I’m being a little over dramatic.

But while a text message today might have the same effect as a song sung yesterday, continue to focs on your developing as an individual. Sure, use technology to flirt and have fun and go a little crazy sometimes – but don’t rely on hiding behind the screen. These screens are breakable and they won’t always be there to protect you in a time of need. Do you really want it to break down to reveal a weak, naked, scared little version of yourself.

Be confident and use Dating 2.0. as a tool to accentuate, not as the whole shebang.

♥ How about you? Are you into Dating 2.0?

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