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- Questions about commitment and long-term relationship goals are no longer viewed as inappropriate questions to ask on a first date.
- This is because more people have become intentional about dating after the Covid-19 pandemic.
- More and more singles are using computer-mediated communication and AI to help make dating easier.
Transparency and to-the-point conversations are becoming more commonplace in the dating world as people find new ways to navigate life and connections with other humans since the world first experienced the Covid-19 pandemic and global lockdowns.
According to an insert published by Stinger, questions like "Do you want to settle down and have kids?" and "Are you looking for something serious?" are no longer viewed as inappropriate questions to ask on a first date.
This is because more people also became intentional about dating and how they dated following the way the pandemic changed life.
According to a 2021 article by Time Magazine, having to isolate alone as part of the global call to social distancing greatly impacted how most singles viewed dating and romantic partnerships.
Once hailed as the new normal, casual hook-ups and engaging with multiple sexual partners were no longer viable options in the face of new health and safety guidelines.
Situationships, casual hook-ups and non-committal dalliances took a back seat to meaningful connections. Where these connections differed from the norm, however, was that they had to take place remotely.
Computer-mediated communication - which rose significantly during the pandemic - also sees more singles screening potential partners through messaging and video call services before agreeing to in-person meetings and the trend doesn't seem to be slowing.
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AI-facilitated dating
One UK-based company is looking to take computer-mediated dating a step further and has developed what they call "the world's first virtual reality dating app".
The app is called Planet Theta and according to its founders, FireFlare Games, it takes dating to a whole new dimension by leveraging the power of virtual reality.
"With this cutting-edge app, users can now immerse themselves in a lifelike virtual environment where they can meet and interact with potential partners from around the globe. By providing a fully immersive experience, Planet Theta revolutionises the way people connect and forge meaningful relationships in the digital age," the company said.
The app's founders even called on award-winning South African filmmaker and TV commercial director Robert dos Santos to direct an international TV commercial to showcase its launch, using his expertise to bring to life an intimate portrayal of how technology can revolutionise how people connect and form relationships.
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Dos Santos, who is renowned for his visionary storytelling and captivating visuals, believes the commercial takes audiences on an emotional rollercoaster, conveying the excitement, anticipation, and romance that Planet Theta offers to its users.
The concept - initially conceived by Charlie Southall and Dan Walsh at London-based video production company Dragonfly - represents a global collaboration of talents and resources.
"The international production spanned continents, showcasing the collaborative efforts of Dragonfly Video Productions in the UK and South Africa," said the production team.
