by RC Shivers

Created on: September 11, 2010

The world is one big wireless network that grows smaller as the population increases. Twenty years ago a long distance relationship was a long shot for success unless the participants were truly dedicated to overcoming the mileage.  Online dating, email, and social networking sites such as Facebook and Twitter have changed all that.  For the discerning, intelligent dater, it has changed for the better.

I have always heard that there is a perfect match in this world for each and every person. The only factor that had prevented those matches from ever finding each other was distance.  When distance was factored into the equation, a prospective partner that lived more than 100 miles away was out of the question.  The travel time alone would take too much time from daily activities, not to mention the cost.  The options left for the person seeking a partner was either a bar, church,  sports leagues, the gym  or work.  Sure there are other venues, but the common denominator in all of them were location.  They were all part of the local town or county or city.  Some could venture beyond the fences, but it would be a costly venture with no guarantees.

The Internet has erased the idea of distance and now a potential mate is only as far as the monitor on your computer.  Every social aspect that exists in the real world now exists in the cyber world.  There are online churches, gym sites, bar sites, work sites, and a host of chatrooms and websites that cater to certain interests. There is something for everyone from the Jimmy Buffett fan to the Boston Pops fan and the Rock Climbing enthusiast to the "King Of The Hill" TV show enthusiast.  The Internet has not only erased distance, but it has also increased the number of potential partners for the person seeking a relationship. 

There have always been dangers inherent to dating and meeting people.  You can't be sure the man or woman that offered to buy you a drink and have a little conversation at the bar is not on parole for rape or armed robbery. You can't be sure if a member of the congregation you worship with does not have a dirty secret they keep from the rest of the world.  There is no background check for the guy or girl on the treadmill next to you at the gym prior to them acquiring their membership.  Any relationship outside the protected setting opens  the dater up to danger.  The only thing that protects a dater

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