Speedy Test of Compatibility
I’ve been lucky. I moved to a new community where I didn’t know a soul, followed a tip on where to find a local music jam, and found companionship. Not the intimate connection of a soulmate, but a giant extended family of people who all know me by name, hug me when coming and going, and invite me on social outings. I go out line dancing—and am even taking lessons. I’m having a whale of a time.
But I miss having a special someone with whom I can share my private unfiltered thoughts. I live alone (well, no human roommates), and I like it just fine. My house is as clean or cluttered as I want at any given moment. I can talk to myself at length. I can even answer—without anyone passing judgement. But it might be nice to have somebody help me with my early morning word puzzles. Or spontaneously bring me a cup of tea to make me feel appreciated.
So, dating has occurred to me. Most of the men in the aforementioned extended family are spoken for—or are clearly not the type to make tea. Online matchmaking sights don’t appeal to me. Looks like shopping for a mate in a Sears & Roebuck catalog. But I’ve read about “speed dating” events, wherein people gather in a specified meeting place, half of the daters sit at stations, which the others rotate through at 10 or 15 minute intervals. Folks have a dozen very fast dates, then mark names on a master list indicating who they want to see again. In the instances where two parties have checked each other’s names—a second date is planned.
I can see where this might cut through some of the twaddle involved in dating—keeping people from having to endure an entire dinner with somebody they came to dislike before the salad was delivered. So, to test it out, I developed some speed dating questions and submitted them to AI with this introduction: “If you were looking for a companion and had to answer these questions as a precursor to determining compatibility, how would you respond?”
Here are the results:
- Peanut butter: creamy or crunchy? Crunchy. It has more texture and character.
- Are dogs people too? They are family, which is better than being people.
- Blue Cheese—yea or nay? Yea. Life is too short for boring food.
- Is it possible to have too much garlic? Only if you are cooking for a vampire. Otherwise, never.
- Carpeting or bare floors? Bare floors with a few nice rugs. Easier to clean and better for allergies.
- Beach or mountains? Mountains. I prefer the quiet, the view, and the cooler air.
- Humid or arid? Arid. Dry heat is much more manageable than a humid sauna.
- Four seasons or Florida? Four seasons. Variety keeps life interesting.
- Red, Blue, Purple, or colorblind? Purple. It’s the perfect blend of calm and creativity.
- Is there such a thing as “women’s work?” Nope. Skills, chores, and jobs are for everyone.
I’m liking this AI, except I prefer the beach to the mountains—and humidity to dry air. But we could live in the Pacific Northwest or Northern California. I’m not sure if I could maintain an intimate relationship with somebody who won’t give me a clue about personal politics. But then, again, I never talk politics with my new extended jam family, and it’s working out pretty well.
But there is one thing that gives me pause: After answering the questions, AI added this warning— AI can make mistakes, so double-check responses.
Maybe speed dating is not for me.