For better or worse, I'm admittedly a connoisseur of online dating. And while the vast majority of first dates have been completely fruitless for forming a meaningful connection, they provided me with the most wonderful ancillary benefit: I have learned more about our society and humanity than any formal education could ever teach. I have learned to appreciate the decisions and lifestyles of everyone from artists fully subsidized by their megawealthy daddies to hard-working independent professionals climbing the service industry ladder.
Our Bubbles
Whether you are a lawyer, nurse, artist, or publicist, you inevitably surround yourself by people who share your background. Most of your friends probably came from your high school, college, or work interactions and thus likely share your socioeconomic status, views on religion, views on political issues, and level of ambition. Yes: I'm sure you have a few black sheep friends who don't fit the mold… but by and large, you live within a self-selected bubble of views and backgrounds. Even Facebook, the social network that's supposed to connect the world, intentionally filters your newsfeed to show you agreeable views.
Meeting People vs. MEETING PEOPLE
You could argue that we interact with a diversity of people daily. But, most of these interactions are highly superficial. Maybe you'll both cheer for the same team. Or maybe you'll order the same drink. But you won't dig past the surface. You aren't entering the interaction with the explicit goal of opening up to each other like you would on a date.
Full Article on Huffington Post
