News

Opinion: The Decline of Dating Apps like Hinge, Tinder, and Bumble

It seems that the golden age of dating apps may be coming to an end, as more and more people are feeling disillusioned with platforms like Hinge, Tinder, and Bumble. The proliferation of these apps has made them the default method for single people to meet, with a significant percentage of the population turning to them for dating opportunities. However, the promise of finding love or companionship through these apps seems to be fading, as users report feeling dissatisfied and frustrated with the experience.

One of the main reasons for this decline in user satisfaction is the shift towards a paid subscription model. While initially these apps were free or had minimal costs, they have increasingly introduced premium features that users must pay for. This has created a divide between those who can afford to access these premium features and those who can’t, leading to a sense of inequality and exclusivity within the dating pool.

Furthermore, the gamification of dating apps has also contributed to their decline in quality. Users are being incentivized to spend more time and money on the platforms in order to unlock rewards or gain access to potential matches. This has created a sense of addiction and compulsive behavior among users, detracting from the genuine and authentic connections that dating apps were meant to facilitate.

The growing dissatisfaction with dating apps is reflected in the lawsuits and complaints being filed against companies like Match Group, which owns several popular dating platforms. Users are expressing frustration with the lack of genuine connections and the focus on monetization rather than fostering meaningful relationships.

Check Out Also: Fire Causes Partial Collapse of Historic Old Stock Exchange Building in Copenhagen

Ultimately, the decline in quality of dating apps highlights a larger issue of commodification and dehumanization in the online dating world. Instead of fostering genuine connections and relationships, these platforms are treating people as commodities to be bought and sold. This shift away from authenticity and towards profit-driven models is eroding the foundation of what dating apps were originally intended for.

While the future of dating apps may seem bleak, there is hope for a return to more authentic forms of connection. The resurgence of in-person events and meet-up opportunities suggests that people are craving real, face-to-face interactions rather than virtual ones. By prioritizing genuine connections over algorithms and monetization, we can reclaim the true purpose of dating and relationships.

As more and more people express their discontent with the current state of dating apps, it’s clear that a change is needed. By shifting away from profit-driven models and towards a focus on authentic connections, we can create a more positive and fulfilling dating experience for all users.

Intellectuals Insider

+ posts

News

Is now the right time to invest in gold as prices have cooled?

Now may be the time to buy gold following a recent lull in its price.

Getty Images/iStockphoto

The price of gold has climbed to record highs recently and has remained strong through much of April. And, that growth continued until the precious metal traded at around $2,390 per ounce on April 19, 2024. But since, growth in the price of the precious metal has cooled, with gold’s price now hovering around $2,300 per ounce.

This lull in gold’s price may represent an investment opportunity.

In general, investing is centered around buying assets when prices are low and selling them when prices are high – generating a profit on the difference between the two. So, considering the declines in gold’s price over the past few days, now may be the time to make your investment. But is buying gold during this lull in prices really a good idea?

Compare your gold investment options among leading brokers now.

Gold prices have cooled. Should you buy in now?

With gold’s price down from recent highs, you may be wondering if now is the right time to buy in. There are several reasons the dip in gold’s price may represent an opportunity to buy. Here are some of the biggest:

Prices may rise again

If looking at a gold price chart shows anything for certain, it shows that changes in the overall growth of the medal come in fits and spurts. Periods of price growth are typically followed by periods of declines and vice versa.

But with inflation rising in recent months – and with gold’s reputation as a safe-haven asset that can hedge against inflation – it only makes sense that the price of the precious metal will eventually start to head up again in the future. While attempting to time that directional change may be tricky, buying the precious metal while the price is down gives you the opportunity to take advantage of any upward movement that may be ahead.

Add gold to your portfolio now before prices have a chance to rise.

You may be able to make a quick profit

Gold isn’t known as an asset in which you can earn a quick return, but in today’s market, that may be the case. Don’t forget that in January, gold was trading at just $2,000 per ounce. And, by mid-April, the commodity’s price had climbed to around $2,400 per ounce. That’s about 20% growth in a matter of months, much of which happened since March 1 – an impressive climb for any investment asset.

Perhaps more importantly, gold’s price growth through the beginning of 2024 shows that the commodity doesn’t have to be a buy and hold style investment that you keep in a safety deposit box or precious metal depository for years to come. There’s also the possibility that the commodity’s price could climb further ahead, making it a compelling way to potentially generate a quick profit.

There are other benefits of investing in gold

There are other benefits of investing in gold that have little to do with the price growth seen thus far in 2024 – or the lull in prices seen over the past couple of days. Those benefits include:

Inflation protection: Gold has long been considered an inflation hedge, and for good reason. When inflation drives the prices of consumer goods and services up – and the value of the dollar down – gold’s price tends to rise. So, it could be used to maintain the value of your portfolio during inflationary economic conditions. That’s important in today’s economic environment as stubborn inflation continues to weigh on the value of the dollar.
Portfolio diversification: Gold’s price doesn’t always move in the same pattern that bonds or stocks do. So, mixing a reasonable amount of gold into your portfolio (up to 10% of your portfolio assets) as a diversifier could protect you from losses should one or more of your traditional portfolio assets fall in value. “If you have less than 5% – 10% of your net worth in commodities & FX (forex), you should absolutely consider adding exposure to gold and other precious metals,” says Vijay Marolia, money manager and managing partner at the wealth management firm, Regal Point Capital.

The bottom line

Gold’s price has fallen from recent highs – which may represent an opportunity to tap into growth ahead. However, gold isn’t simply a “buy while it’s low and sell while it’s a high” kind of investment opportunity. The commodity can also protect your portfolio from the stubborn inflation we’ve seen thus far in 2024 while acting as a diversification tool that could increase your risk-adjusted portfolio returns. So, consider adding gold to your portfolio today while it has the potential to grow in value.

Joshua Rodriguez

Joshua Rodriguez is a personal finance and investing writer with a passion for his craft. When he’s not working, he enjoys time with his wife, two kids, two dogs and two ducks.