Love in the time of tech

Published February 14, 2023, 12:05 AM

by Manila Bulletin

For generations, artists, writers, even scientists have tried their best to define “love.” From “love is blind” to “love is a many splendored thing,” humanity’s motivation to wake up and live another day, to become better, to fight for a cause or to stand down for others is motivated in some ways by love. After all, love has many facets — love for a Higher Being, for country, for family and friends, for a partner, and of course, love for oneself.

Today is Valentine’s of 2023. It may be one of the usual Valentine’s of years past but historians in the future may note this year for two things — this is the first post-pandemic Valentine’s; and driven by the pandemic, there is the rise of a “digital love,” which saw more people utilizing online tools and apps to find a partner, express emotions, or even to break relationships.

As this Valentine’s Day is, in the minds of many, at the tailend of the pandemic, we will notice today if some age-old traditions will be revived, retooled, or totally forgotten. Restaurants, hotels, and resorts have reintroduced their Valentine’s menu for couples. So, are there more reservations tonight? Or is cooking at home and date night at the couch more practical due to inflation? Are businesses happier with the Valentine’s bump, or it’s so inconsequential that it’s just business as usual? 

On the aspect of digital love, we have to note that the Gen Z (those born from 1997-2012) are now the “trendsetters” — the segment that advertisers target as they are the future consumers and decision-makers. At the end of the spectrum of Gen Z are the early teeners who have lived their lives with a smartphone, tablet, or laptop beside them 24/7. They are starting to feel and discover what “love” is with their first crushes, celebrity idols, and, with the resumption of face-to-face classes, they see their classmates in a new “light.”

How the Gen Z will express love will be so much different from Millennials. The Gen Z will have all the online tools at their disposal; but will these help? Or impose unwanted expectations? Being gregarious online doesn’t automatically translate to someone being sociable in a physical setting.

The young ones are blessed in a way that in these tech-driven times: Searching for a partner is easier with apps that let you swipe left or right until you meet someone physically attractive. Meeting that person is less awkward with a tweet or a DM. For romantic dates, apps are helpful as you can read a restaurant’s review before making a reservation. You would even know if there’s a parking space, if it’s pet-friendly, or if there are vegetarian options. If you want to send a “thank you” gift after a date, you have a host of online sellers to choose from. The world, so to speak, is at your fingertips.

Don’t know what to say or how to express love? Then there’s AI to help you compose a message. It can define it for you, as what it has generated here: “Love is a complex and multi-faceted emotion that has the power to shape our lives and influence the world around us. It is a feeling that transcends boundaries, cultures, and backgrounds, and can take many different forms.” Not bad for an AI language model who “doesn’t have personal beliefs or emotions.”