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Internet dating's adverse effects

The teaser stated "If you are reading this, then my girlfriends have officially taken matters into their own hands. Project Man Has Begun...God help us all!" Yes, my lead-in/teaser was slightly different from most other profiles on the nationally touted dating website. There weren't any "moonlit walks" or "snuggling by a cozy fire" in my headline. No, I had been strong armed into participating in this Project Man, and in such a public forum no less, all devised by my well-meaning, married, or currently committed and co-habitating girlfriends.

You see, the girls were frustrated by my seeming lack of interest in dating. It had been three years since my divorce. They had all of course heard the hype, and had seen the success stories on television concerning this new modern take on dating. Internet dating was to be a functional and highly precise medium - extremely accurate in matching individuals based upon reoccurring keywords,activities and interests. It was a science - the science of chemistry. I wasn't going to be unattached much longer, in that they were all certain.

For the next 90 days I was going to become for my group of girlfriends the ultimate in reality television. And so they began, scouring their memory cards and phones for recent photos of me. They completed multiple choice questions, and a running roster of attributes that would somehow assist in locating MY MAN. Who knew that "likes bowling" or "enjoys bookstores" were the building blocks for solid, passionate, intellectual relationships?

A girlfriend of mine had become stuck. Feeling certain that she had probably landed in the tricky realms of politics or religion I walked over to her computer to offer my input. "What's the dilemma" I asked? Peering down I noticed that it was what appeared to be a short statement followed by the obligatory check box. How hard could it be. Hmmm, "skinny dipping in the dark." Wow! Clearly not politics. Scanning the list,it was one of only 16 attributes left for selection in finding my Mr. Man. Skinny dipping, followed by "long hair -a turn-on or a turn-off", "live music or long walks." Very well then. Back to the pastime in question. Nakedness was not so creepy. No, in fact nakedness with another body, to the best of my memory could be quiet nice. Nakedness in the water and at dark? Now, that for me could be very creepy. "Do they mean in a pool,at a private home, or at a resort? " I asked. "Or are they talking about the Bobby and Jenny Lee variety in a creepy,


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