This assignment was done for my graduate-level course ‘Experiences and Interfaces’ at OCAD University with instructor Ashley Lewis. The brief was to anticipate the future of an app or a product by using The Future Cone model and then writing a short speculative fiction based on our findings and research. The app I chose to analyze was the popular dating app Tinder, my predictions are based on my observations since June 2021 in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Speculative Fiction on ‘The Future of Tinder and Online Dating’
For this thought experiment, I have chosen to base my written speculative fiction piece on the ‘What-Ifs’ model, futuring the experience of Tinder and online dating in general. Based on my future cone model, I would like to focus on a ‘utopian’ view, for a preferable outlook that prioritizes the safety and respect for women, non-binary, BIPOC and LGBTQ+ populations online due the amount of misogyny and harassment I’ve witnessed from firsthand experience (typically from people who identify as cisgender, heterosexual men). The timeline of this thought experiment is somewhere within the not too distant future, preferably within 5 years as I think many of these changes and suggestions are perfectly plausible with current technology.
Sam is a 26-year-old East Asian non-binary person who uses they/them pronouns, living in Toronto. They have been single ever since ending a monogamous 3-year relationship with their partner about 6 months into the COVID-19 pandemic during 2020. It has been 2 years since their breakup. During that span of time, Sam decided to focus on themself and work on developing their career. Needless to say, it has been a while since they have had any experience dating. Sam has decided it’s about time to start looking again.
Sam decides to create a profile on Tinder, the most popular dating app for singles in the city. They list their profile as being fully vaccinated as of 2 months ago (vaccines are now required on a yearly basis now). Sam decides not to list their gender and is open to dating various gender identities. They also decide to keep their age hidden, just to keep things open and to widen their dating preferences. Sam uploads several recent video clips to verify their identity to the app, proving that their identity is authentic. In the video clips, Sam is required to match very specific hand motions. Tinder now requires this authentication process to be verified every 2 weeks as a new safety measure implemented to protect their users. Tinder now also requires proof of vaccination to be submitted as well.
Sam decides that they want to explore various options in the dating world as they are unsure of what their goals are in terms of what kind of relationship they are looking for. Sam would like to remain as open-minded as possible and is more interested in meeting new people from all walks of life, outside of their typical friend circle.
Sam matches with an individual who shares their interest in rock climbing. However, as they start talking, Sam notices that this person has rather misogynistic views towards Sam (who is female-presenting). They begin to ask Sam inappropriate questions about their sexual preferences and ethnicity which makes them uncomfortable. However, the chatbot immediately begins to pick up on the misconduct text, sending an automated response to Sam’s match as a warning. Sam’s match continuously ignores this warning and after 3 triggered warnings, a window pops up on Sam’s end asking if they would like to unmatch with this person. Sam selects ‘Yes’ and is unmatched immediately with the person. Sam’s profile is now automatically hidden from the other person and Sam’s privacy is protected.
Despite that unfortunate interaction, luckily Sam is able to find someone new who is much more pleasant to talk to. Sam enjoys talking with this person and they spend time playing in-app Tinder games that include questions to help break the ice and allow them to easily get to know each other in a fun and interactive way. Sam also enjoys doing video calls, sharing photos, memes, GIFs, and TikToks with their new match, all of which can easily be done in Tinder without having to exit to a different app. Sam feels safer this way instead of having to switch to chat on Instagram, which may compromise their personal privacy. Phone calls are also possible on Tinder right now, eliminating the need to share any personal phone numbers. Sharing phone numbers is actually prohibited on Tinder.
After just over a week of talking online, Sam agrees to meet with their new match. Both Sam and their new match consent to meeting with each other on the app, selecting ‘Yes I would like to meet in-person’ on Tinder and scheduling a specific time and place to meet on the app. Tinder will then keep track of their date, making sure that after the date is complete, both parties will confirm that they met in person in a safe environment. The list of meeting places for the date on Tinder are all approved locations that uphold COVID-19 safety measures. If certain meeting places have a recent high number of COVID cases within the area, the app will list the place as being ‘risky’ to meet up at and will suggest a different location instead.
Sam goes on a quick coffee meetup with their date, choosing to meet at a coffee shop that is conveniently located for both of them to get to. It is on a Tuesday afternoon when business is not as busy and there are fewer people. Seats within the store are socially distanced and have listed good reviews in terms of cleanliness with sanitizing regularly. Sam’s date arrives on time and looks very close to their photos and description listed online on Tinder. Sam is very pleased with this. They converse for about half an hour before Sam’s date says they need to head back to the office soon. After Sam’s date leaves, Sam confirms that they have met in person with their date on Tinder. Tinder also asks Sam to rate their date, leaving a comment on whether they would be interested in meeting again with this person or if they felt uncomfortable at any time in terms of their safety or privacy being compromised. Sam writes that they felt they probably would not be interested in a second date, but did not feel as though this individual was harmful in any way. Overall it was a pleasant first date experience, but Sam felt as though their interests didn’t quite line up as well as Sam thought they would. Maybe next time!
