Comments on: Find Your Significant Other Online

By: Naomi Kim

Naomi Kim — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 21:10:22 +0000

I believe that the Internet has crossed all different aspects of life, including cultural and societal boundaries. I also agree with ezekilov that “traditional values are not necessarily being lost, but they are changing.” Our society as a whole is changing, as we are being influenced in this technology driven world. Even what seemed to be firmly “sedentary” practices such as arranged marriages are not being influenced by technology and the Internet. It seems as if these cultures that do practice arranged marriages are less willing to change their tradtional practices but would rather keep their traditional practices but uses foreign technological influences around it.

By: James Liu

James Liu — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 19:39:14 +0000

Internet dating has definitely taken off under the web 2.0 infrastructure. Internet dating has become one of many examples that our society is slowly moving toward a world where everything will be done via the internet. I agree with ezekilov that “The fact that the Internet is being used for arranging marriages shows just how much dependent people are on the Internet. ” The culture influence of online dating exist, however it is not distinctive to any one culture but to the developing idea of global culture.

By: ezekilov

ezekilov — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 17:06:15 +0000

The fact that the Internet is being used for arranging marriages shows just how much dependent people are on the Internet. It also shows how segmented society has become. From what I know of arranged marriages, their purpose and intent is to build a stronger and more cohesive family unit. They are usually done between families who have had a strong and long-lasting relationship or as a source of exchange (involving dowry, brideprice, groomprice etc.).
Considering these factors, I do not necessarily think that making arranged marriages solely on websites is the original cultural ideal, but it points to the fact that life has become less family-oriented and more individualistic in much of the world. This probably has less to do with the Internet in and of itself, and more to do with the fact that a lot of cultures that practice arranged marriages are increasing moving from a more sedentary, pastoralist/agricultural way of life to a more segmented, industrial way of life. This is not to say that traditional family values are necessarily being lost, but they are being changed. If the way of life is changing, perhaps the concept of arranged marriage should change as well?