Week 4 EOC: There's An App For That

My idea for an application, usable on any phone, tablet, or PC, is an application that will use Shazam to tag men or women with a "datable" score much like the Player Score on certain MMORPGs. Just like receiving restaurant reviews, or movie reviews, by holding up your phone in the direction of the signal, this app will give a "Datable" score of the person you’re pointing it towards that is calculated by input from others that have dated that particular person.

“Before you completely dismiss the idea of speed dating, consider the following scenario: You've worked hard all your life to get through university and then find a decent job to guarantee yourself financial stability. The problem is you never had time to meet or date women along the way. So now what do you do?” - http://www.askmen.com/dating/curtsmith/58_dating_advice.html, The Benefits of Speed Dating

In this day and age, everything is about speed and ease of use. The Datable Score app will allow the user to make the decision of whether or not the person is worth talking to before having to go through the hassle of getting through awkward introductions, buying drinks, or even lengthy conversations that end with the two of you having nothing in common.

“One of the main reasons why dating and relationships are often filled with drama is that one or both of the individuals fail to be upfront about what they want. If you want drama-free dating, you need to be completely honest about your expectations and your wishes. You also need to make a point of noticing whether the people you meet online are doing the same.” - http://ezinearticles.com/?Avoid-Dating-Hassles&id=3606920, Avoid Dating Hassles

Another useful feature of this app is its personal database. Users can go online and submit a personal profile that can also be accessed through Shazam when their datable score is given. It will allow the user to assess the potential and possible validity of the score the person they are looking at is. For instance, if a man is into body soaps, incense, and reading, he may have dated a few women that are not looking for the sensitive type and therefor gave him a low score. When the score is given, it will also give a brief description as to who scored them and for what reasons. Think of it as a dater review.

“Face it; finding a great mate takes some research.”You're going to go through a lot of people, until you find someone where there is some kinetic thing, some magnetism, some desire to know more," says Pepper Schwartz, PhD, a sociologist at the University of Washington in Seattle.” - http://www.webmd.com/ genital-herpes/features/dating-dangers-loves-minefield, Dating Dangers: Love's a Minefield

Let’s face it, dating can be tedious, boring, frustrating, and even dangerous. It’s very hard to get a grasp of who someone really is without having to go through outdated rituals, polite conversation that is vague at best in regards to a person’s actual history, or spending a lot of money on dating sites that weed out the potential “good” candidates for you. The Datable Score will allow you to observe a live person, see how they behave, give you a summary of who they are, show you reviews from others that have dated them, and give you the option to “investigate” the room for that one best suited for you so you can talk to the right person the first time.

EOC

"The baby boom was followed by a “birth dearth,” creating another generation of 49 million people born between 1965 and 1976. Author Douglas Coupland calls them Generation X because they lie in the shadow of the boomers and lack obvious distinguishing characteristics. The Generation Xers are defined as much by their shared experiences as by their age. Increasing parental divorce rates and higher employment for their mothers made them the first generation of latchkey kids. Although they seek success, they are less materialistic; they prize experience, not acquisition. For many of the Gen Xers that are parents, family comes first—both children and their aging parents—and career second. From a marketing standpoint, the Gen Xers are a more skeptical bunch. They tend to research products before they consider a purchase, preferring quality over quantity, and they tend to be less receptive to overt marketing pitches." - Marketing an Introduction, pg. 73

"Both the baby boomers and Gen Xers will one day be passing the reins to the Millennials (also called Generation Y or the echo boomers). Born between 1977 and 2000, these children of the baby boomers number 83 million, dwarfing the Gen Xers and larger even than the baby boomer segment." - Marketing an Introduction, pg. 73

"One thing that all of the Millennials have in common is their utter fluency and comfort with digital technology. They don’t just embrace technology, it’s a way of life. The Millennials were the first generation to grow up in a world filled with computers, cellphones, satellite TV, iPods, and online social networks." - Marketing an Introduction, pg. 74

I was born in 1975 which puts me very close to being on the cusp of Generation X and the Millennials. And while I can assure you that I will never fall prey to the "used car salesman" routine as a GenX, like the Millennials, I tend to slide deeply into withdrawals if I'm not buying the latest and greatest tech devices.

I was really hoping that Steve Jobs was eventually going to get around to creating a way to connect to the internet through a wireless signal and cranial implant. But I suppose that will have to be left up to the next technology guru.

As far as treasuring experience over material possessions, I kind of fall in the middle. I desire fame and fortune just like anyone else. I want to own (payment free of course) exotic cars, multiple homes, top of the line electronics and technological devices, and have the freedom to travel wherever, whenever, and however I want. But for me, I would also require that I earned them all on my own and gained my wealth through knowledge and experience. I would have to know that what I have has value because it wasn't just handed to me.

If I was asked to pick which generation I feel I belong to the most, it would have to be my actual Generation X generation. I fail to understand the illogical mindset of the Millennials and their unwavering need to be "online" wherever they go.

I also don't understand why the Millennials seem so detached from humanity, but I assume it's because they're always plugged in to the virtual world which will rob anyone of their ability to interact directly with people in the real world no matter what generation they are.

I still listen to all the "hair bands" of the 80's, I love playing old arcade games, and there are still times that I want to just Lick it Up Slow and Easy, let loose 99 Red Ballons, go get some Girls, Girls, Girls, let them Talk Dirty to Me, and party like it was 1999. If you'd like to, grab your Rubik's Cube, put on your Swatch watches, cuff the bottom of your jeans, and let's do it Generation X style!!