Tinder and the Dawn of the Dating Apocalypse

Despite the seeming sexual smorgasbord on offer, dating apps are surprisingly short on seduction. Longitudinal studies show that singles are having less sex and fewer partners than a generation ago.

In addition to being modeled after addictive casino games, online dating and apps are optimized for user engagement (i.e. membership and advertising revenue) instead of user desired outcome (i.e. finding your future husband).

Operating in the anxious space between notions of health and toxicity, relationship apps teach us ways of loving that privilege efficiency over depth, quantifiability over knowledge, and success over joy.

Avoid dating apps, if you can. In a world of billions, in which city dwellers interact anonymously with people every day, dating apps may be a good way to sort through a nearly infinite number of choices. The risks are many, though, including that seeing so many possible partners may make you less interested in going deep with any individual. In su