Tinder Changed the Game

In this episode of "Land of the Giants," Sangeeta Singh Kurtz and Lakshmi Rengarajan delve into the history and impact of Tinder on the dating landscape. They discuss how Tinder revolutionized online dating by gamifying romance with the swipe feature, making it mobile-only and integrating location-based matching. The hosts explore how Tinder's design, focused on ease and engagement, led to its massive success but also contributed to a shift in dating culture, including the rise of hookup culture, ghosting, and a sense of disposability among users. They further examine the app's business model, which prioritizes connections over long-term relationships, and the psychological effects of endless swiping, highlighting the ludic loop and its impact on users' expectations and behaviors in the search for meaningful connections.