Once upon a time I used to say I hated technology when it came to sex culture, but you could say I’ve changed my tune. I’ve begun to accept that in our modern day and age, technology is here to stay.
So, what better way to honor this change of heart than by writing about my new favorite apps to play with and talk about?
Grindr is the granddaddy of all current dating apps. And it’s gay! Grindr was released way back in 2009 when we were so much more closed off from the world of technology, and meeting up with someone you met through your phone for sex was weird. Put simply, it’s a GPS for sex. A GPSex. Even today, Grindr is still going strong, but it has to compete with all the new apps, some of which I find ridiculously more fun.
For instance, there’s also SmileBack. In this app, you send people smiles and they then have to guess from a collection of faces who smiled at them. Get it right, and the app tells you that you have a match. From there, you can message each other. And if you get it right, you get free drinks at local bars like Dillingers if you meet up.
So you can totally use this app to get drunk with someone you message, which could work to your romantic and/or sexual advantage. There’s also the money-savvy option to use SmileBack to fuel your weekend shenanigans by saying you’re interested in guys and girls, smiling at everyone, then arranging six to eight meet-ups to get all your drinks for free. Seriously, how great is technology?
Some apps aren’t so straightforward. For instance, there’s Bang With Friends. Allow me to clarify: this app is not Words With Friends with the addition of sex. The way it works is you just indicate which of your Facebook friends you’re into, and then you message till you bang. That’s it. So bold, so brash, so bangin’.
Of course, there’s always Snapchat. So Snapchat wasn’t intended to be a dating app — so what? Think about it: You must have noticed someone at some point, maybe even yourself, use Snapchat with lewd intentions or content. I know people who have taken a shameful amount of nude snaps because they know they can make it a one-second snap. And who can take a screenshot in one second if they aren’t expecting nudes?
Even when it’s not sexual, this app is hilarious. Honestly, I love seeing girls try to look cute but end up making hideous faces in public. So let’s keep Snapchat pride strong, because it makes me look like I’m messaging pictures to my friends when I’m actually taking selfies.
My number one has to be Tinder; it’s the most popular right now, and life is a popularity contest. In this app, you decide how much you like people based off a few pictures and minimal other information. Then you swipe right to approve them and left to reject them. If they like you too, you’ll be alerted and you can start talking. You can play nice or you can get down and dirty, it’s up to you!
There are two main reasons why I love this app. Seeing that people like you back is a confidence booster, and people message you some really funny stuff sometimes. I’d love to share stories, but I’m a Pipe Dream professional. The only issue I have with this app is that a lot of times I’ll end up talking to someone who doesn’t live close to Binghamton. It’s an “I like you but I’m not going to be driving out to Plattsburgh for your formal” sort of situation.
As far as love and romance go, I don’t think I would put money into any of these apps. But as far as sex, flirting and entertainment go, I’d invest like McDonald’s invests in Monopoly. Maybe soon I’ll achieve the level of maturity it would take for me to check out sites like eHarmony and OkCupid. For now, I’m a 21-year-old senior, and these apps are crazy fun.