Bumble now has an 'intimacy without commitment' option: A sexual revolution or a free-for-all?

Going on a date, talking to your future life partner, having a nice dinner, and laughing your heart out have become staples for our lives. In countries like India, it is now the de facto way to find a suitable person outside of the traditional arranged marriage setup.

But, with changing demographics and expectations, new terms like 'situationships' have been added to our vocabulary. Soon, Artificial Intelligence may choose a suitable partner for you based on your likings and preferences. Some have called this 'hopeful', others 'dystopian.'

Bumble, the go-to dating app for many, has now come with a new feature for users to opt for. 'Intimacy without commitment' is a box you can now tick, and other people will see it when they see your profile.

But the internet is far from happy with it.

Social media users have termed it everything from 'pure hell' to 'wasted money, time, and energy.'

There is already greater discontent among young users with dating apps than ever before.

According to The Fortune, "79% of college students and other Gen Z are forgoing regular dating app usage and instead opting for in-person interactions."

Are people tired of online dating?

'Dating app burnout' has become a real thing, with people experiencing the fatigue of endless right and left swiping, or what sociologists have called the 'commercialisation' of emotions and people.

Many have even called dating apps a 'marketplace' of emotions and feelings, with the shiniest fruit being the most popular.

What can one tell from a few carefully edited images, a witty caption, and dating options like 'intimacy without commitment' and 'open to possibilities?' It is becoming more and more taxing for young people to find love, and algorithms are definitely getting in the way.

Are people 'products' to be consumed hurriedly? This is the question that most of us will grapple with very soon.

According to Reuters, Bumble is expecting revenue of $269 million in the second quarter of this financial year. This comes to $1.76 billion in annual income. Clearly, big tech is very happy with our dating lives, or the confused lack of it, many of us find ourselves in.

But will options like the one recently released, be the death knell of dating apps, or will they define boundaries and enhance the dating experience? After all, 'ethically monogamous' and 'polyamorous' relationships have become a reality as more and more Indians take what they want and shun the traditional expectations of society and their parents.

Let's take a deep dive.

Online dating; A must or a fallacy?

Bumble and other apps are definitely useful. There have been stories of plenty of people across the globe finding their soul mates through online connections. Hearty stories can be found with a simple Google search.

But there are also enough horror stories to keep the novice away and for many of us to completely give up dating.

Recently, a man's two-year-long online dating partner was revealed to be his sister. Such cases are becoming more common, with the real threats of catfishing and honey-trapping becoming graver. Combine this with unsafe cities and a lack of nightlife, and what we get is a strange mix of hope and fear.

What do people think about it?

But public opinion on the 'intimacy without commitment' feature seems to vary.

Adrien called it a "double-edged sword." He added that "it may provide clarity and transparency for individuals seeking casual connections without the pressure of commitment. On the other hand, it could potentially complicate things by blurring the lines between casual and serious intentions." They stressed the likely "misunderstandings and hurt feelings."

Palak, a 17-year-old who will soon enter the dating scene, says, "People change, grow, and evolve, especially when they connect with other people, so putting everyone in a box and encouraging people to go through them like products is insane."

Athiya says, rather poetically, that "intimacy is not something that just happens between two people; it is a way of being alive. At every moment, we are choosing either to reveal ourselves or to protect ourselves."

Sanath notes that "it will be just lustful sex without any feelings involved. It will complicate things and is immoral, in my opinion."

Mukul said, "It's not 'pure hell'. You and the counterpart you engage with would just have better clarity on the nature of their engagement. But the con side would be that this would further expedite the becoming of dating apps into smartphone applications for hookup instead."

There are also takers for it, though.

Chandrakana says, "This option is beneficial. Intimacy is not solely about physical connection; it often involves mental and emotional bonding as well. Sometimes people take a longer time to commit. An initial relationship, where partners focus on understanding and connecting with each other, can gradually evolve into a committed one."

Time will tell

While it is important to practice 'responsible dating' and actually talk to a person before writing them off, this option may help people avoid confusion and choose the right partner(s) for the phase of life they are in.

However, we all need to wait and watch the success or failure of Bumble's 'intimacy without commitment' option.