Copyright (c) 2010 Dirk Sayers

Online meeting/dating has an attraction that seems irresistible for tech-savvy, busy professionals over thirty; especially those in metropolitan areas where online dating offers its greatest leverage. It fits the practical time constraints many of us deal with the in the 21st Century. Fold in the attraction of being freed from the restrictions of time/space and online dating/meeting feels a lot like a dating network on steroids. Its seemingly inexorable growth anywhere computers abound got another confirmation, recently. In its September 14, 2010 edition, Newsblaze.com reported that online dating in England has spiked an incredible 30% since the iPad launch. Steve Pammenter, Director of Partnerships at GlobalPersonals.co.uk, one of the largest online dating consortiums in the UK comments:

"Our experience has proven that the online dating industry is completely reliant on the latest internet trends and technologies available. The Apple iPad and the proliferation of the web by wider audiences like the over 50's is positive news for the online dating industry as the internet becomes easier to use by all..."

Should we be surprised? CNET's first look at the iPad gave it high marks for overall usability. A sampling of other reviews by other tech-review sites showed close to unanimous agreement, with the most frequent positive comments generally being given to Apple's ease of use, familiar user interface. The iPad's magazine-sized compactness and portability also came up and represents a continuation of a trend very much in touch with western society's affection for light weight, mobile communications. It also goes a long way toward explaining the uptick in loiter time seen on various online dating sites. If you can do it literally anywhere Wi-Fi and 3G are available, why not? The Newsblaze report underscores a continuing trend broader adoption and use as simplicity goes up.

What happens if we transplant that trend to our own country? It isn't difficult to come up with some interesting and ironic twists. Taken as a whole, is there anywhere the world more interested in trendy and (especially trendy AND mobile) technology than the United States? It's difficult to imagine we won't see an increase in online dating traffic similar to that reported in Newsblaze...with or without iPad. Our affection for multi-tasking and mobility is sure to translate into an uptick in the incidence of singles (and "single-agains") browsing online meeting/dating sites in Wi-Fi and 3G enabled environments. Starbucks, for example, just to mention one common Wi-Fi/3G provider, has opened the gates at many of their establishments. So it's getting more and more difficult to find a place in a metropolitan area where you can't connect. Which gives rise to some interesting possibilities.

Imagine, for example, this scenario...young, available man seeking young available women is browsing an online dating/meeting site at...let's stick with Starbucks, since we mentioned them...while three tables away a woman similarly engaged, browses the same site. He just happens to click on her profile, likes what he sees & notes she's currently online. He IMs her and she responds. After a few pleasantries, she asks what he's doing and where only to discover they're "IM" ing each from the same Starbucks.

She looks cautiously over her shoulder, is relieved to see he looks like his photos and smiles. He smiles back with unmistakable relief that she, too, lives up to her photos. Uncontrollable laughter follows, to the perplexity of all but the most perceptive.

He gets up, bringing his lap top with him, his mind racing for a really good first line. While his mind is racing, she decides she doesn't care what he says, as long as it isn't really stupid. He stammers out something moderately cool, delivered with just the right mixture of awkward confidence.

They introduce themselves, order another latte' and the "pick-up" has received its latest, adaptation; a computer-mediated serendipitous meeting...with one very important difference. Both of them know a good deal more about each other than they would have a couple decades ago when we still relied on favorable response to random eye contact to get things rolling. This chance meeting may have a long way to go before either party to it consider themselves "an item," but compared to the wild and wooly days of pick-ups when I was doing it, don't blame me too much for my comparative optimism in the outcome.

Improbable? I suspect it's only a matter of time before it happens, if it hasn't already. When it does, the 21st Century will get some new folklore, sure to be immortalized in anecdotes, jokes, wedding toasts and, eventually, a grade B feature comedy we all love to lampoon but whose popularity keep screenwriters on the look-out for.

Don't have an iPad, yet? Not to worry. While the iPad might make it easier, this scenario doesn't rely on one to work. It'll also work with your existing lap top. So what are you waiting for, anyway?