people without pictures ...This kind of defeats the purpose of internet dating... don't you think?!
IMO not really.
IMO I think internet dating would actually be more "successful" if no one was allowed pictures.
I mean look at the current apps which are a natural progression of internet dating websites; "swipe left for yes, swipe right for no, then once you've judged their picture we'll tell you more and see if they'll talk to you."
On the preapp dating websites and their forums what were some of the most common whines? "Why don't people read profiles? Is it really only the pics that matter? Why don't people get to know me? Women only want brad pitt! Men only want Barbie! Men's/Women's standards are too high! People keep viewing but not contacting, what's that mean?! Why all the hats? Why all the sunglasses? Why the duck face? Why use old pics? Why use a picture that isn't you? Why no full body pic?"
IMO online dating would have been far more "successful" (for the actual users that wanted to date, wanted a connection, wanted relationships, but not the owners) if there were no pictures.
At least unless there was a meet scheduled, if profiles included more important information, and email exchanges were far more intense like a game of chess where your responses were timed, and you had to answer poignant questions, there would be more "success."
Pictures online offer a false sense of security.
Being able to respond whenever you want allows too much self editing.
IOW there is absolutely nothing that reinforces being honest online, but a lot that incentivizes dishonesty and hiding behind a facade.
If you don't know what someone looks like, you still see them as a stranger, your guard is still somewhat up, you don't take certain things for granted.
If they have to answer questions within a certain time frame taking away the ability to self edit or really think too deeply, they are forced into being honest, with what comes more immediately to mind.
IMO that would give you a better idea if 1. if you "really" have compatible personalities, 2. if you would actually want to sit across from them for 10 minutes to see if you want to date them.
And that's ultimately the purpose of online dating.
If you were buying a house would you rely on the realtor curb appeal pictures and their manipulative descriptions? or would you prefer to rely on the appraisal and home inspection reports?
Online dating sites have simply promoted over reliance upon realtors to taking more pictures with higher definition and more imaginative descriptions than providing meaningful information.
IOW a false sense of reality manipulating you emotionally.
So, no, people without pictures doesn't defeat the purpose of dating sites.
Dating sites and dating apps, the models they use to run their business, has defeated the purpose of dating sites.
From the perspective of the owner of a dating site, you finding a date is not really important.
Getting you titillated and excited at a pretty face so you keep coming back to look at them, generating traffic, is more in line with their interests.
Building a false sense of security and hope in the site, and then having it dashed by someone else so you never lose your sense of security and hope in the site is more in line with their interests.
If you are one of those people, why do you do it?
Nothing warrants the need for me to post a picture.
