C[h]at’s Got Your Tongue
I was scrolling through my favorite social media platform when I saw a message from a stranger. It was a funny meme, and I couldn’t help but laugh out loud. I quickly replied, and before I knew it, we were deep in conversation.
We chatted for hours, exchanging jokes and stories and getting to know each other. It felt like we had a real connection, despite never meeting in person. We used all sorts of prompts and clever responses, and the conversation flowed easily.
As the night wore on, we exchanged numbers and agreed to meet up in person. I was nervous but excited — I felt like I had found someone special.
But as the day of our date arrived, my nerves started to get the best of me. I realized that all our conversations had been online, using prompts and pre-written responses. I didn’t know if I could be as charming and witty in person.
I woke up early in the morning, feeling nervous about my date. We had been matched by an advanced dating app that claimed to know me better than I knew myself. I had answered hundreds of questions, input my preferences and interests, and allowed the app to access all my personal data. It knew everything about me.
As I arrived at the coffee shop, I saw my date sitting at a table, staring down at their phone. They looked up and saw me, and we both exchanged a quick…
