What Will the Future of Dating Look Like?
Dating today feels more complicated than quantum physics. The challenge of navigating the modern dating landscape—getting a response, securing a first meeting, and progressing to a second or third date—seems overwhelming. An online joke captures this reality with surprising accuracy and ties it to AI:
A man walks arm in arm with a humanoid AI robot, both smiling and seemingly content. As they stroll by, they pass a woman sitting on the sidewalk, her head in her hands, holding a sign that reads, “I don’t have a headache anymore.“
The meaning behind this scene might be lost on some due to the layers of societal ‘BS.’ Yet, it echoes a similar situation from years ago, when a men’s perfume company aired an ad that, while clever, was misunderstood by many.
The ad opens with a man confidently applying the perfume. In the next shot, a pile of blow-up dolls lies discarded in dumpsters, like homeless people. What was the message? The use of this perfume supposedly brought real relationships into men’s lives, making the inflatable substitutes obsolete.
The connection between these two examples is subtle but significant, showing how the complexities of human interaction, desire, and relationships often become muddled with unrealistic expectations and unnecessary complications.
The Current Problem with Dating
Today, countless so-called “dating experts” offer advice and strategies that often have little relevance in the real world. People, eager for solutions, follow this advice, whether they’re men or women, only to find it ineffective when they finally reach that long-anticipated meeting.
The Solution
- Be Honest – Authenticity is essential. Don’t pretend to be someone you’re not.
- Be Yourself – True connections happen when you’re genuine.
- Let Go of Expectations – Don’t go into a date with a rigid goal. Being too focused on a single outcome blinds you to the experience of the present moment.
- Adapt in the Moment – Allow the conversation and interaction to unfold naturally and adjust your approach as needed.
- Don’t Force It – If the chemistry isn’t there, forcing things won’t help.
- Know When to Leave – If the person across from you is distracted by their phone, offers short or uninterested responses, or seems disengaged, you’re not in the right place. It’s better to move on.
- Beware of Imposed Rules – If, before the meeting, you sense direct or indirect expectations, rules, or conditions being set, it’s a red flag. The right person won’t care where you go or what you do; they’ll just want to spend time with you.
The same principle applies to the phenomenon of the “passport man,” where individuals travel to other countries to find partners. Despite being a planet of over 8 billion people, many remain single, some never having had a partner. It’s a paradox: both men and women cry about their loneliness while seeking the same thing. If only they could cut through the nonsense, perhaps they’d find each other.
Why Choose an AI Partner?
Some may wonder why that man chose to date a humanoid robot. The answer is simple: no complications. After a long day at work, we crave simplicity, relaxation, and enjoyment. We don’t need unnecessary drama in our personal lives. The reality is that there are too many rules, expectations, and expensive hurdles to clear for a chance at a date. We often live for others, forcing ourselves and our partners to perform extreme acts beyond our capabilities, just to impress those around us.
We should instead focus on what makes us happy. We should do what brings us joy, not what satisfies others’ expectations.
The Ferrari Metaphor
Life can often be summed up with this analogy: “I know I can afford a $1000 car, but I want a $4 million Ferrari. And until I have it, I refuse to drive any car.”
That’s how people live, missing out on experiences, joys, and opportunities that could make their lives richer and more fulfilling.
Final Advice
Create a list of everything you want from a partner. The first item should be the most important, and you can make the list as long as you like. Now, focus on finding someone who has that first essential quality. Anything else on the list is a bonus. If they don’t have it all, that’s okay—don’t forget to approach this process honestly.
Now, when heading into a date, think of it like grabbing a coffee with no expectations. You’re there to enjoy the moment and the person’s company, not to predict or control the outcome. If it works out, great. If not, at least you’ve enjoyed the experience. And isn’t that what life—and love—should be about?
