Not too long ago, I remember my older brother griping about how to meet girls interested in a serious relationship. After college, a traditional way to meet people is by visiting the local bar scene. Unfortunately, prospects there are quite limited, for obvious reasons. But today, we have the entire world at our fingertips, where can meet and chat with people all over the world through this magical tool called the Internet. This train of thought and my brother’s dilemma led me to the inspection of online dating websites and Dr. Neil Clark Warren.
This 72-year old grandfather is the founder behind eHarmony.com, the most well-known and successful dating site on the Internet today. At first, I was expecting his profile to read like the stereotypical business mongrel that stumbled upon the genius idea of taking advantage of all the lonely people in the world looking for love. But instead, I have discovered Dr. Warren to be a saintly old man with a surprisingly well-credentialed background. He started with a bachelor’s degree from Pepperdine University, then went on to earn a Master of Divinity degree from Princeton Theological Seminary, and a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from the University of Chicago in 1967. Before eHarmony, Dr. Warren was a dean and practicing psychologist at the Fuller Theological Seminary. He worked with the famous Carl Rodgers, a pioneer in the development of client-focused psychotherapy. His website is based off of actual research that he collected over the years as a practicing psychologist. He developed a 436-question psychological test, covering 29 dimensions of marriage success, which can be used to match people without ever meeting them in person. His work has raised eHarmony.com above the other sites, by basing it in scientific psychological research that the site proudly displays as one of its most noteworthy points. As a soon-to-be Marriage and Family graduate student, I find his determination to create lasting marriages admirable. Although breaking down one’s marriage prospects into a series of paper-based questions is a bit too precise an approach to love, it is preferable to a one-night stand with a girl from the local bar. Dr.Warren has created an excellent tool to be used in combination with face-to-face meetings in order to facilitate lasting relationships.
3 comments:
Sites such as eHarmony.com appear to have become an interesting social phenomenon. I was intrigued in reading the background to the founder of eHarmony.com, who went against the grain to found a successful business venture. Yet, online sites seem to serve to the needs of a consumerist society seeking the “quick fix” to traditions. Accessing an online site to meet a mate may work for those who have access to subscribe to these sites, but what about those who cannot?
eHarmony.com seems to have gotten mixed into the throng of websites attempting to take advantage of the increasing social interest in online dating. However, this site seems to rise above the rest with serious lifestyle and personality traits taken into consideration. While I would argue meeting people in bars may not be the best or only place to meet people, it certainly is not easy in any setting. But I wonder in letting us hide from the scary prospect of approaching strangers, something quite magical might get lost in its absence?
e-harmony.com is a very interesting phenomenon in my opinion. It is truly amazing to me that people can experience such great luck over an on-line dating site. I was rather skeptical about the success stories that I was hearing about until e-harmony had a true effect on my own life. My friend decided to give the site a try a couple of months ago and actually found a girlfriend that is extremely cool and fun to be around. What I once thought was a new breeding ground for pedophiles has gained alot of respect from me! Good post!
Post a Comment