Ahhh…the green bubble: the bubble that appears in a text conversation when an Android user sends a message. For some, this is just a minor detail of the greater conversation happening between friends and soon-to-be lovers. For others, it’s an indicator of so much more. The blue bubble has developed its own identity as well, appearing in text conversations when an Apple device user sends a message. While some blue bubble texters may view themselves as the elite, that might actually depend on your social circle. When it comes to modern dating, some may argue that green and blue bubbles have gotten in the way of what could have been. So, it’s fair to ask, is green bubble bias shaping modern dating?
Green Bubble Bias
Many of us have frequented the dating apps, sparked with someone and moved from the platform’s chat option to something more personal: texting. And once that first set of texts are exchanged, it’s determined whether things will continue. Is the chemistry still there? Do they text like vowels cost them money? And, finally, for some, are the text bubbles the same color? In partnership with Google, comedian Ziwe is shedding light on the green bubble bias via a mock dating show (and short film). Through interviewing her guests about their dating experiences, she also gets them to admit that they’ve possibly lost out on love because of it.
Bubble Bias In Modern Dating
In a survey, old tech-buying service, Decluttr determined that 70% of singles say they would rather date an iPhone user over an Android user. Participants in the survey even said that the iPhone seems like a classier option. Admitting this opens up a can of worms in regards to dating and technology. It infers that we are looking to better ourselves through the people that we date. It also says that technology plays a significant role in how we perceive ourselves and others. Ziwe helps guests unpack their perceptions, preferences and the roles that they play in our dating lives. From wanting their potential partners to be great dancers to saying green bubbles are a “no-go”, the judgment is high and the connections to singledom are not hard to make.
Modern Dating: Breadcrumbing & Ghosting
However, it isn’t just high expectations and green bubbles that are getting in the way. There’s breadcrumbing: expressing just enough interest to string the other texter along. And, then there’s ghosting: leaving the conversation without as much as a goodbye. In both of these cases, bubble colors can play a role, but that would only be an excuse pointing to a deeper issue. How far is too far before our preferences impede our love lives? That goes for technology and otherwise. Do we assume that iPhone users have more money and therefore, we will have nicer dates leading to a nicer life where we having nicer things? Maybe. Still, clocking someone’s pockets, while possibly beneficial at the start, does not help us gauge that person’s character. Plenty of folks have been judged, disappointed, breadcrumbed and ghosted by same color bubble texters. Stank does not discriminate.
Now, many of us find the bubble bias to be laughable and can say that it hasn’t played a role in our dating experiences (or that we learned our lessons early on). Whether you fall into it or not, you may not be as far removed from this way of engaging as you think. Yes, one can have preferences in almost any circumstance, including their technology purchases. Just be sure to talk biases at the start of the conversation: technology and otherwise.