In this thread intended to get a reply from Jim Matysek, who I understand manages the USMS Forum, I am wondering if a designated section with personal ads for dating would be a good idea in the USMS Forum.
From my perspective as a single male investing in Masters Swimming I would believe so, since I keep on meeting women who have other profiles but being attracted to like-minded and similar, rare to find in 'fit' San Diego.
Parents
Former Member
I agree that USMS should stay out of the dating service realm.
In my professional capacity, I've had a glimpse of some sites that seem to go the route he's suggesting, Blackplanet in particular. From my un-hip, married middle-aged guy perspective, it seems to me this kind of a service takes over the web site and crowds out its other features. Consider, a web site that covers various aspects of a shared interest or heritage by the people who use it. Topics of discussion. Shared information. A place for people to get to know each other. Shared ideas.
Then, the dating service is rolled out. As with any group of human beings, there will be segment of the group that is into pushing the envelope and various forms of exhibitionism. The postings get racier, and soon people who have little or no interest in the dating service are embarassed to be associated with what is going on in one corner of the sandbox. Possibly their spouses have a hard time believing they are interested only in the non-dating parts of the web sites (like the old chestnut about reading Playboy just for the articles), and issue ultimatums puntuated with a rolling pin. Pretty soon it is primarily a dating sight with some old material no one follows anymore.
Thanks but no thanks. Let's stick to swimming and swim related events. I also think Ion and others would have better luck with an established web site such as, presumably, swimmingsingles.com. We could roll out the service tomorrow. It will take some time for the pool of participants to build up such that anyone has a reasonable chance of meeting someone interesting in their local area. I wish him all the luck in the world, but I'd prefer USMS stay out of that business.
Matt
I agree that USMS should stay out of the dating service realm.
In my professional capacity, I've had a glimpse of some sites that seem to go the route he's suggesting, Blackplanet in particular. From my un-hip, married middle-aged guy perspective, it seems to me this kind of a service takes over the web site and crowds out its other features. Consider, a web site that covers various aspects of a shared interest or heritage by the people who use it. Topics of discussion. Shared information. A place for people to get to know each other. Shared ideas.
Then, the dating service is rolled out. As with any group of human beings, there will be segment of the group that is into pushing the envelope and various forms of exhibitionism. The postings get racier, and soon people who have little or no interest in the dating service are embarassed to be associated with what is going on in one corner of the sandbox. Possibly their spouses have a hard time believing they are interested only in the non-dating parts of the web sites (like the old chestnut about reading Playboy just for the articles), and issue ultimatums puntuated with a rolling pin. Pretty soon it is primarily a dating sight with some old material no one follows anymore.
Thanks but no thanks. Let's stick to swimming and swim related events. I also think Ion and others would have better luck with an established web site such as, presumably, swimmingsingles.com. We could roll out the service tomorrow. It will take some time for the pool of participants to build up such that anyone has a reasonable chance of meeting someone interesting in their local area. I wish him all the luck in the world, but I'd prefer USMS stay out of that business.
Matt
