Individual Presentation or Panel Title

Slurs, Propositions, and Patriarchy: An Online Dating Journalistic Venture

Abstract

For almost a year, I have been a member of the online dating site OKCupid. Since my entrance to the site, I average about 140 visitors per week and my 300 message limit is reached on a bi-weekly basis. My project emerged when I began to notice similarities between the various messages. It is at this point that I have compiled about 50 pages of messages in 20 subdivided categories such as: “Compliments,” “Overt Sexual Attempts,” “Reverse Psychology,” and “Imminent Failure.” After I have completed gathering data, I will add personal commentary about my individual experience to each category, and my hope is that I will be able to publish this project in the future.

I believe this project to be of particular contemporary interest. Dating sites have become increasingly popular over the past decade and, in more recent years, they have become an outlet for a wider range of ages and lifestyles. My project seeks to take a look from a feminist perspective at the line between effective and offensive, passive and aggressive, awkward and amusing. Ultimately, it weighs both the costs and benefits of online dating as well as the costs of online “anonymity.” It is a work which combines my liberal arts background, utilizing my social, psychological, English, and problem-solving skills to their fullest.

Presenter Information

Rachel O'Connell, Hollins University

Location

Ballator Gallery

Start Date

3-5-2014 1:30 PM

End Date

3-5-2014 2:20 PM

This document is currently not available here.

Share

COinS
 
May 3rd, 1:30 PM May 3rd, 2:20 PM

Slurs, Propositions, and Patriarchy: An Online Dating Journalistic Venture

Ballator Gallery

For almost a year, I have been a member of the online dating site OKCupid. Since my entrance to the site, I average about 140 visitors per week and my 300 message limit is reached on a bi-weekly basis. My project emerged when I began to notice similarities between the various messages. It is at this point that I have compiled about 50 pages of messages in 20 subdivided categories such as: “Compliments,” “Overt Sexual Attempts,” “Reverse Psychology,” and “Imminent Failure.” After I have completed gathering data, I will add personal commentary about my individual experience to each category, and my hope is that I will be able to publish this project in the future.

I believe this project to be of particular contemporary interest. Dating sites have become increasingly popular over the past decade and, in more recent years, they have become an outlet for a wider range of ages and lifestyles. My project seeks to take a look from a feminist perspective at the line between effective and offensive, passive and aggressive, awkward and amusing. Ultimately, it weighs both the costs and benefits of online dating as well as the costs of online “anonymity.” It is a work which combines my liberal arts background, utilizing my social, psychological, English, and problem-solving skills to their fullest.