Online Dating

On April 24, 2009, I talked about the topic, What's new in new media? I wanted to focus on the six characteristics of media in order to really figure out what is new in media.

The 6 Characteristics of Media
A. Asynchronous Media
B. Audience Generated Media
C. Digital Media
D. Narrowcasting
E. Interactivity
F. Multi-Media Forms

With these six characteristics, I thought about about what would be new in media but would also represent these six characteristics. I thought online dating would fit in the criteria. Its new in media because it is a new way to meet people and start relationships or friendships. It also represents the six characteristics. When it came to online dating, I looked at a lot of sites but I chose eHarmony to focus my case study around. eHarmony has a Compatibility Matching System that helps match people together. Dr. Neil Clark Warren, who is the founder, has 35 years of experience. He has been a marriage counselor for 35 years. He has researched what makes marriages succeed and fail. Everyone is matched up based on the 29 Dimensions of Compatibility. That includes, just to name a few, adaptability, curiosity, intellect, values, beliefs, spirituality, relationship skills like conflict resolution.
A eHarmony commercial-žhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ybm5dfQWkI

What does Eharmony do?

Compatibility Matching System, which is a system that compares surveys and places then into different subdivisions. Surveys are used to determine if you are compatible according to the 29 Dimensions of Compatibility. Because of this system, eHarmony is the most expensive dating online dating service. Once approved, profiles are set up so your matches will be able to see you.
Then love is found! Because of its high-tech match making system and it s capability to network to so many people, I feel like like that makes it new in new media.

How does it represent the six characteristics of new media?
eHarmony is a form of asynchronous media because it sends out e-mails to its clients when they have found them a match.
It is audience generated because it gives the client what they want based on compatibility and what they want in a mate.
it is digital because everything is digitized, from the profiles to the compatibility computer system.
It is Narrowcasting because it targets a particular audience, singles looking for love!
It represents Interactivity because it allows the clients to create their own profile and become a big part in their matchmaking.
It represents Multi-Media Forms by using text, audio, images, and video. It allows the clients to use all these different multi-media forms, which include the survey, profile, and connecting with their match.

I believe that online dating will grow because it allows people to meet their possible soul mate with just a click of a button. It cuts out all courtship and allows someone to do the work for them.