But the interplay between technology and hook-ups will be familiar to a wide swath of young Americans. It illustrates an interesting roadblock in the country’s social evolution.
Once upon a time — in what we might think of as the “Happy Days” era — courtship was governed by a set of guardrails. Potential partners generally met within the context of larger social institutions: neighborhoods, schools, workplaces and families. There were certain accepted social scripts. The purpose of these scripts — dating, going steady, delaying sex — was to guide young people on the path from short-term desire to long-term commitment.
Over the past few decades, these social scripts became obsolete. They didn’t fit the post-feminist era. So the search was on for more enlightened courtship rules. You would expect a dynamic society to come up with appropriate scripts. But technology has made this extremely difficult. Etiquette is all about obstacles and restraint. But technology, especially cellphone and texting technology, dissolves obstacles. Suitors now contact each other in an instantaneous, frictionless sphere separated from larger social institutions and commitments…
It seems to encourage an attitude of contingency. If you have several options perpetually before you, and if technology makes it easier to jump from one option to another, you will naturally adopt the mentality of a comparison shopper.
It also seems to encourage an atmosphere of general disenchantment.
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God forbid Brooks write anything electiony for election night…
I guess he figured nobody would notice he’s ducking the one night that invalidates his entire political philosophy.
katy on November 3, 2009 at 8:35 PM
Kreskin says, “What are 3 things AP will never have?”
lorien1973 on November 3, 2009 at 8:40 PM
Wow, even when Brooks is trying to be socially conservative, in a geeky, goofy sort of way, he still falls flat.
see-dubya on November 3, 2009 at 8:41 PM
Bet a dollar he is married… and so is on the outside of this… looking in…
Romeo13 on November 3, 2009 at 8:43 PM
Dude, I have a cell phone.
Allahpundit on November 3, 2009 at 8:45 PM
This isn’t another trouser-crease column is it? I’m not clicking.
Nosferightu on November 3, 2009 at 9:10 PM
Allah, did you ever get the I-phone you so coveted once upon a time?
Tim Zank on November 3, 2009 at 9:17 PM
Awww, I think Brooks is projecting his own disenchantment tonight. Damned wingnut conservatives!
Monica on November 3, 2009 at 9:20 PM
Contact that humpbot maker and see if they can strap some boobs and a blonde wig to one of them. Boom, boom, pow- the dating and sex issues are solved.
Monica on November 3, 2009 at 9:22 PM
I won’t hit the link. Does Brooksie connect it all up to his fascination with trouser creases?
james23 on November 3, 2009 at 9:28 PM
Ha ha.
Why would he be stupid enough to draw definitive conclusions after a few anecdotal conversations?
Sure mobile phones and texts have facilitated hookups, but Brooks’ take on this is wrong.
blink on November 3, 2009 at 10:24 PM
Glad Brooks has found a new niche. Politics isn’t really his thing.
PhillyUnion on November 3, 2009 at 10:36 PM
Brooks can be such a moron. This is how business is done and always has (que “Citizen Kane” clip of Orson Wells with 10 phones on his desk). Brooks just doesn’t think that we average folk can handle such capabilities.
Blech!
Moose Dung on November 4, 2009 at 12:39 AM
Take a hike Brooks.
Geochelone on November 4, 2009 at 1:21 AM
Yea, but it’s an iPhone 2G so that doesn’t count, after all it’s nearly a Motorola Brick…
Tim Burton on November 4, 2009 at 1:40 AM
Good grief y’all are mean.
Cindy Munford on November 4, 2009 at 5:31 AM
What do you bet most of the “hookups” that are sent in are “madeups”? When I was in high school and college, the average guy talked a lot but never had near the action they claimed. Same thing today.
duggersd on November 4, 2009 at 8:13 AM
I bet Brooks was caught reading the sexual diaries by his spouse/kids/parents and then wrote this article to bolster his claim that it was for “work”.
chansen9 on November 4, 2009 at 8:42 AM
I’m guessing the birthrate among the hook-up crowd is near zero. There are some things I won’t miss when western civilization is replaced.
theCork on November 4, 2009 at 9:32 AM
What a choice of images! LOL
.
Seriously, I do not think this is any different than the negotiation and positioning (another image!) that went on decades ago in “meat markets” and pickup bars. Those who are socially and sexually desirable will have lots of options making their exposure to venereal disease all that more available. Go for it!
ExpressoBold on November 4, 2009 at 9:46 AM