You may have seen the previews for the upcoming Bruce Willis movie “Surrogates” in which he plays a futuristic cop in a world where people no longer interact face-to-face.  People uses avatars (digital versions of themselves) much like the ones we use today in online gaming to live their daily lives. Basically, the movie takes our present reality one step further by taking human out of humanity.  I can’t help but wonder if our future has the real potential to turn out this way.

As far as escaping reality, it’s better than using drugs.  However, whether we want to admit it, we need each other not just to survive, but to experience what it is that makes us human.  The mental stimulation from interacting with each other is something essential to our humanity.  This is something that we should not give up.

Along with this increasing disconnection, something else that develops is an inflated sense of self-importance.  Posting every move and taking pride in how many comments, likes or friends you have can indicate that you’re taking your online persona too  seriously.  Such people worry more about what they do online than in real life.  Many of them hope, Maybe if I post this picture of me seeming to have fun, then I’ll get a ton of comments from friends that I don’t even talk to in real life.

This preoccupation may even prevent us from living our lives.  There are those that are constantly texting their other friends while they are out with you and end up asking, What were we talking about? Then, there are the ones that have to take pictures of everything so they can post them later online.

I think that this escape from the real world takes a toll on our ability to feel.  Take, for example, Facebook’s “like” feature. Before, if you had happy news, you’d call somebody or go over to their house and talk. What an interesting idea?! Later, you could just send a mass email and probably get some letter-length congratulations. Now, all you have to do is post “I got a promotion!” You’re likely to get a few comments and a lot of likes. A “Like” gives people the opportunity to look like they care without even really making any effort. What it really means is, I like you enough to acknowledge your success, but not enough to actually type out congratulations.

Technology gives us more opportunities to pass the buck on all sorts of responsibilities. You can break up with someone over a text, you can email to your boss that you’re sick when you just feel like playing hookie. It’s coming down to texting whole conversations to our own family. Saying all that we want to about our lives, about how much we miss each other, all in less than 160 characters.

Don’t get me wrong. It’s not that I’m anti-technology. I just want everyone to keep in mind how good it feels to have a good cry with your girlfriends after a break up, get a hug from your mom or to hear your sister lol for real. The best things are real life.

Author: Crissy Zamarron

Now that we have dating sites like eharmony.com, adultfriendfinder.com or chemistry.com, there’s less need to go out to the bar and waste time and money looking for somebody.  Fill out a questionnaire and you too can find true love.  You could also open up a Facebook or Myspace account, set your relationship status to “single and looking” and you can do the “finger work” yourself.  This way you can see pictures before you can decide to talk to someone, chat before meeting and, if you really want to know what you’re getting into, monitor their page for potential competition.

Another important tool the Internet has given daters is the background check.  One can simply “stalk” someone’s page(s).  However, it’s not like someone is monitoring everybody to see if they’re telling the truth about what’s on their profile. Simply Google their name and, for a small fee, you can get everything from their real date of birth to their last speeding ticket.  The only limit is that of your credit card.

Cybersex is so 10 years ago.  If you’re not “sexting,” you’re not getting any.  Now, more than ever, it’s easier to get anything, especially sex.  With countless porn sites to view, high speed instant messaging or the good, old-fashioned drive to your shorty’s house, you’ll never go, ahem, “hungry” again.  Even getting an escort is a quick click away.

So, I think that you should all take the time to give your PCs a good finger stroke making dating so fast, easy and good.  Internet, we salute you.

Author: Crissy Zamarron

A typical date usually consisted of dinner and a movie.  My dates were required to come to the door, meet my parents and ask what time I should return home. Oh…and I can’t forget that I had to take one of my sisters along. If one of my sisters wasn’t available, a double date with a family friend was the other option. I’m sure that a few dates grew a little sick of hanging around my friends and siblings. However, if they wanted to date me, those were the rules.  Did I mention that I had to be home by 10 pm—even on weekends?

My father told me funny stories of his dating days back in the ’60s.  Mexican fathers and families required chaperons on all dates. Maybe that’s why he insisted that my sisters chaperon my dates…hmmm? He was dating or “courting” a Mexican girl from the old neighborhood in Detroit.  The parents escorted her to the house and sat with them in the living room for the entire date.  She actually sat across the room from my father.  What kind of date is that? I don’t understand how they were supposed to get to know one another in that atmosphere? Dating was merely preparation for marriage. However, you have to remember that love was not required to be married back then.  A good girl from a good family usually married into another good, well-known family. It’s just the way that things were done. Needless to say, my dad didn’t end up marrying a Mexican girl.  As he put it, he was a little too impatient for all that nonsense.

I have to admit that I do not in the least miss dating.  I hated dating.  It was uncomfortable and nerve-wracking.  What to wear? What to say? Oh no…what if he tries to kiss me? Would my dad say something to embarrass me? I’m so glad that I’m out of the dating scene.  I can’t even imagine what it must be like today.

Author: Rhonda Gutierrez