Once upon a time, the communication of love meant scribbling some nice words on a piece of neatly folded, packaged paper, and then delivered in the best logistics way to the one you have an affection for—sometimes, and most times even, these words are copied from some medium, oral or verbal. Who cares? All that matters was the message being passed with that love and soothing desire that is felt within. It was simple, enchanting and direct, to say. Just get a good pen and a good piece of paper—maybe nice sheet from a "jotter" preferably—put up some nice copied words, append your name at the end with some lovely symbols and, message is passed perfectly.
Then came later the evolution of technology. It came affecting and disrupting the order of "everything" to say. Certainly, it played a role as well in the communication of love. While it took one then a pen, paper and some coordinated words, with a good logistics to deliver a love message, all it takes now is a phone, some app and megabytes and boom, message sent, affection communicated instantly. While it also took minutes and perhaps hours of trekking to have a date or precious time with a loved one, all it takes now is a phone, some app again and good megabytes as well to get it done.
Technology has affected and changed the order of how love and dating go. From making a lot of efforts, to little efforts while getting across same intentions. I wouldn't applaud it totally though, due to some factors that has caused it a flaw. Technology shouldn't be blamed though, it's a result of the wrongly intended use of the users in view.
One of such things is the propagation of insecurity and deception. You'll agree that not everything you find on the internet is true, and not every profile on social media is true as well. I have friends who live in the same area with me, but their profile reads something else entirely. Hilarious huh? I guess it's a norm now, shouldn't even be talking about it maybe. But then, it proves the point. Whereas, if it was the old way, the personality of the individual will hardly be hidden or covered in deception because it involves a total physical acknowledgement. As said earlier, you can't blame technology, it is on the users who use it negatively as such.
Beyond this—and maybe some other reasons—technology has really brought a turn around to dating and relationship. It has afforded the ability to communicate with a loved one through long distance by the help of social media, calls and video chats. This in a way providing their presence even in their absence. Long-distance relationships have been encouraged and revolutionized by this advent and effort of technology.
Unlike the old times where the person has to wait months or years to see face of their loved one or even hear their voice, it is made highly possible now.
I wouldn't say which works better having a consideration of the lapses on both sides. One thing for sure though is that, technology has revolutionized how this works, making it never the same. And as much as it has been embraced, let it as well be put to use well for the joy of a wonderful dating process and relationship.
This is my entry for the Hive Naija weekly prompt, week 86.
All images are AI generated