OkCupid, Put my Tinder Heart in a Blendr by: Sofiya Freyman Marshall

In the realm of progressive relationships and swipe-right, swipe-left rendezvous, the significant shift in dating dynamics has become increasingly palpable. With the rise of social media and dating applications, our approach to meeting and interacting with prospective partners has endured a colossal metamorphosis; the most recent and relevant component of which, perhaps, has been the increased emphasis on informal interludes and fleeting liaisons.

A globally historical retrospective of the "traditional" romantic union, replete with a milieu of predictable milestones, would be certain to culminate on the previously propagated values of monogamy and perpetuity. A contemporary survey of the same amorous panorama, however, would surely convey a Feeld-scape of tumbleweeds just a-Tinder-ing, Grindr-ing, Hinge-ing, and Bumble-ing along in search of transient flings that have yet to be flung.

While this transition in partner-finding preferences and platforms might foster arguably constructive results from an evolutionary perspective, including an increased focus on individualism and personal sovereignty in modern society, a decrease in social stigma surrounding the concept of casual sex, and the unparalleled ease of connectivity furnished via means of online dating, with manifold planes of convenience and accessibility, it also presents numerous distinctive challenges.

Among several reservations are those surrounding the issue of superficiality and a lack of authenticity, with an upsurge in cases of altered identity and self-misrepresentation occurring throughout the digital community. Additionally, the process of sifting through a boundless expanse of meticulously-curated options with designs to unearth a compatible match might wring a great deal of anxiety, resentment, and disenchantment with the dating process in its entirety.

Likewise, the significant impact of social media on contemporary courtship rituals has yielded unprecedented access to the lives of significant others, as well those of their friends and associates. Despite the clear advantages boasted by networks such as Facebook, Instagram, and the like, the level at which personal information is available therein is concomitant with an increased sense of insecurity, as the natural inclination to compare oneself with others and, ultimately, find cause to ponder a partner's fidelity becomes somewhat inevitable.

Alternately, a rather intriguing trend in the trysts of today is the upturn of non-traditional arrangements, such as open relationships, polygamy, and non-monogamy. While these types of connections may once have been considered taboo, they have become increasingly commonplace. For some, this approach to kinship creates a candid space to survey their sexuality and connect with multiple partners. For others, however, this may be a source of self-doubt and apprehension.

This broad swing in societal norms and values is also fashioned by present-day viewpoints towards gender roles and sexuality, which have adopted an increasingly fluid and diverse perspective and, cultivated a novel set of expectations and potential impediments as far as relationships are concerned. Additionally, a relatively recent movement towards the deferment of nuptial exchanges or,the?renouncement of marital institutions altogether, has unearthed a pathway to the reconsideration of archaic mores, axioms, and ethical paradigms.

The assortment of challenges and complexities that bespeckle the dating terrain of today may appear insurmountable; from the influx of online dating and seemingly-blasé bonds to the impact of technology on communication and stagnant maxims, the active approach to assemblage is replete with many slanting facets.?If traversed with the humble, gallant, lionhearted gate of the knightly paragons of yesteryear, however, one might adjust their perception of this romantic renaissance as an invitation to question the relevance of commitment, longevity, and exclusivity in a contemporary cultural climate.?