Is internet dating a myth to believe in?

The fast-paced, busy and highly demanding lifestyles have altered much of the conventional order of dating. The conventional art and magic of dating is facing the axe of technology and the changing times.
Can you contend with the demystifying lose of beauty of words that characterised conventional dating and courtship? A young man would take time to compose the sweet love lullabies he never before knew. Armed with courage, confidence, and pride, he would waylay a lady on her way to the river. From there, he would use the magic of words to woo her to love him. Such was a fine art of creativity and imagination that thrived on mutual appeal and consent.
But, today is not yesterday. When the neo-technology reared its startling head into our lives, things have turned upside down. Well in Africa, we could be the adversely affected since we are always on the receiving end.
A mere click of the mouse will unleash numerous windows before you. It is your democracy to take your pick.
The allure of internet dating is not an elusive intoxication. It is compulsive and tempting at the same time. Often, you will find people of all ages trying out numerous dating sites. Some do this out of fun, others out of curiosity. Others are in it because they’d like to meet that Mr. or Ms. Right. As usual, there are those who use it as a money minting venture.
Credit goes to the creative and tireless minds that keep on designing numerous sites for the anonymous consumers. They come in handy: lovepot.com, friendfinder.com, letsdate.co.ca, penbuddies.com, passion.com, dating.com. The list is endless. Even different media outlets have joined the trade to give their consumers a taste of such type of dating. Flipping through the pages of newspapers, magazines just like clicking on the mouse for your ideal match, the catch-line will lay bare before you such anecdotes:
I am a 27 year old loving, caring, passionate Caucasian lady. I neither smoke nor drink. I’d like to get in touch with a man who possesses similar attributes with whom to share fun and the world ahead.
On such a by line, whether or not accompanied by a photo, the click of the mice will reign supreme. Guys will try their best to get in touch with such a prospective lover. However, most of them are out to enjoy a brief session of passion.
Tony, a student at MUK, will not let such a by-line to pass un-clicked. He seems to be obsessed with dating on the net. He’ll do anything to ensure he secures space in front of a computer in the cyber café to communicate with his net lovers. He believes in dating as many women as possible. If chance comes his way, he will get to meet some of them and have fun. That is what he has sacrificed much of his time to do.
Onex(pictured right), a student and a part time Literature teacher, is pessimistic about internet dating.
“You don’t know whom you date. You could date a devil worshiper and you will regret,” that is what has kept him off internet dating.
How effective and fulfilling is internet dating? More often, the myth of pessimism is always demystified when once upon a time total strangers get to see each other after dating on the net. Success stories will role of the tongues of the new love encounters who started it all on the net.
Such a success story from the likes of Alan on matchfinder.com.au could appeal to a lonely lad to try out their luck:
Thank you very much for your service. I have met a very lovely lady and she has agreed to be my girl-friend. So we have had some fantastic dates.
But, in most cases, those who date on the internet are usually geared towards romance with whichever match they’d like to date. It is hard to sustain such types of relationships especially after the first encounter. The two new ‘lovers’ are nervous to experience more of each after several more encounters. And, the relationship could be headed to the dogs when the goal of romance has been achieved.
Internet dating has a brand of its own risks. In the first place, you don’t know whom you are dating. It could be the most wanted criminal who would like to be your associate. It could be internet fraudsters who’d like to gain access to your bank account and empty it.
There are those ‘dates’ who would rather claim your life and keep theirs safely. The case of Raymond Merrill (www.wildxangel.com) is testimony to this. He is said to have the attractive attributes by a woman’s standards.
“He was financially well off, self-sufficient, good looking and ripe for the picking. So what went so horribly wrong? Raymond Merrill is dead. Drugged, Robbed and murdered for his money by his online lover and her real life boyfriend.”
However much internet dating seems to be a modern allure and to some, a better past time, it has its own risks involved. That is why, a warning or a precautionary note will always be availed for your consumption before you take a step to the tragedy. You will often be warned to meet in public with the stranger date of yours. You will be asked to inform your family members or close friend with whom you will hang out with and the venue. You should be suspicious of your date unless you don’t have to. Perhaps, don’t stay out late into the night. It might just be unhealthy for you.

Joshua Masinde

Revised Version: Uganda will burst with 130 million people by 2050

September 11, 2007
TODAY'S PICK

Our population is anticipated to be 130 million by 2050. The ongoing debate on the current population growth rate of 3.2% has elicited mixed reactions. The President and some religious leaders have been heard encouraging parents to produce more children. A positive argument here is that this will translate into a wider market for goods and services. The President believes this.

However, this raises some questions. How will a population of 130 million people be taken care of? The current dependant population, which is 50.4% of the total population, is in itself enough burden. The population explosion as seen in the current growth rate forewarns an over-dependence burden on the incomes of the households and the government.

Households with bigger numbers of children to cater for will no doubt be relegated to more impoverishment. Their capacity to save and invest will be depleted due to the huge strain on their incomes. Heavy government expenditure on social needs like education, health care and social infrastructure will be overstretched, putting the national resources at a risk of rapid depletion.

With the 3.2% population growth, the Millennium Development Goals will be far from realisation. With 130 million people in 2050, how will the government provide and sustain Universal Primary Education and Universal Secondary Education?

The current trend in economic development and growth shows that reduced population growth complements sustainable development. The developed countries with the most minimal or relatively negative population growth and sounding economies have their dependent population at about 25%. This reflects minimal dependency syndrome. So where is the logic of encouraging people to produce more children?

The government must reinforce education of the masses about family planning and economic empowerment of women. People driven laws and policies need to be made to set the highest number of children a family should have.

The President and religious leaders especially the Catholic Church, which opposes birth control, should stop encouraging parents to produce more children.

Joshua Masinde

ODM’s liberation agenda for the youth?

ODM national treasurer Hon. Omingo Magara is a young turk to beat in South Mugirango constituency. He said this at Mitchel Hall in Makerere University on a Saturday evening on 8th. He was presenting a public lecture on ‘ Kenya at cross-roads’ to Kenyan students and ODM supporters at Makerere University, Kampala-Uganda.
He stated his unwavering commitment to the party and its major concern to integrate the youth in the country’s leadership.
His assertion can be founded way back in 2005 after the infamous plebiscite in which the pro-banana camp lost to the orange camp. He was approached by the powers that be to join its ranks. It was an offer worth grabbing. However, he declined, stating that he was in ODM to stay.
The MP attributed the bedrocks bedevilling the Kenyan youth on, “Lack of accountability, democracy and good governance.”
With the old guard still tightly clenched in leadership positions, the youth have remained as the wretched of the earth. He pointed out that he found it difficult to contest and eventually win the South Mugirango parliamentary seat in 2002. Because of the challenge-phobic, degrading and retrogressive status quo of old turks, for which his mentor represented, he almost lost his life. He was considered as a youth and therefore was expected to take a back seat from politics for a little longer.
The status quo, established and maintained by the old guard is allergic to facing challenge from the younger generation that has ventured into the political field.
“Most leadership (of the old guard) refused to accept desired change,” he said. “Their history is tainted. Minus power, they can’t manage it.”
“They must be plugged” from their stations by the youth who are the strong, committed and patient lot. “Till when are the youths going to wait? We’ve had elderly leaders but no tangible change.”
On the much publicised talk of 6% economic growth, he dismisses this as a hoax. Real economic development should be felt by the poor, which the 6% failed to address. The rich have instead grown richer. The poor, thanks to the ugly ghosts of Anglo-leasing, Goldenberg and other forms of corruption, have degenerated into deeper graves of poverty. No wonder, he decried that, “Corruption is a highly rewarding business (sic!). It has higher returns with zero risks involved. That explains why Kenya is 40 times behind the Asian tigers like South Korea in development. Incidentally, at independence, Kenya was South Korea’s contemporary on an economic development platform. It is such corruption that has lain a debt of Ksh. 780 billion, which the current generation and posterity will continue servicing.
While selling ODM’s agenda to the youth (read today’s leaders’), he urged them to go out and challenge the status quo whatever the circumstances. He proffers his own example as someone who defied all threats to fight for the South Mugirango seat in 2002. Despite being looked down upon by the opponents as a youth, he still emerged victorious.
The spirit of change in Kenya is ripe. It is time for the young people to get their fair share of leadership positions. There is no going back. No wonder, he noted that if a calf is being born, even when you tie it with a rope, it will still come out.
“Our future is today. We must grab it,” he added.
However, he warns, that such change from old guard to the youth won’t come that easily. He feels ashamed with the current whims of ‘Vijana na Kibaki’ (the youth for Kibaki). When it is eating time, it is ‘Wazee na Kibaki’ (the elderly with Kibaki). The tune turns sour ‘Vijana na Kibaki’ when it is time to lobby for support to enable them to make it back to power.
Hon. Magara urged the Kenyan electorate to use their leaders’ performance CVs as a voting measure.
“They should vote for ODM team, and not for individuals.” He reiterated that ODM is a team with a captain. This team is committed to let go and leave when their time comes. It is a team that wants to set a positive historical precedent to be emulated by future leaders. Such a team can’t stand with a black history to taint and haunt them unlike the predecessors.
He added that ODM as a team is steadfast to devolve power from state house. There will be no more going to the house on the hill to “beg for a district.”
ODM is also determined to see to it that women get into positions of leadership and business. Women are responsible and hardworking and should not be sidelined from the leadership arena. The party will empower the youth by formulating practical policies that will positively impact on them.
On another note, he discarded the perception that ODM lacks backing from Central Kenya.
“ODM is going to get votes from Central Kenya , especially from the youth.”
On a lighter level, he commended Kenyans for their patience.
“Kenyans are very patient people. God has heard us.”
The meeting, which ended at 11: 40 pm, was organised by ODM Makerere University Chapter.

Joshua Masinde