> Growing up in the 2000s was the perfect balance of tech + IRL.

I think most people will say that about the 1980s and 1990s (and maybe 1970s) as well. Depending on when they grew up.

I feel like any generation would tell you that their tech was the perfect balance. Everything before is primitive, everything after is dangerous.

Nah. I always felt the kids a couple years younger than me got the best deal (or better than my age.)

My age got on AIM during the transition to college, would have loved it in high school

Then facebook came to colleges right as I was finishing

Tinder came around after my dating days were over

But, I got to roam around town on my BMX and remember only having 3 tv channels as a kid. And I got to be an early adopter of so many things. So I think that’s a better mix.

Right, but most people in your generation say things like "thankfully, tinder wasn't around when I was dating"

Maybe. But also that could mean a few things.

Tinder has an interesting arc. At first, it seemed really awesome and many people liked it. It supplemented the traditional dating process. This is what I wish I could have participated in. I think there was about a decade of that after which it replace and became the dating process. Meaning, talking to strangers, flirting, starting a conversation and asking someone out at a coffee shop or whatever became unusual. Then it became awkward. Then it became cringe. I don’t want to participate in today’s dating scene at all, largely because of this app dominance and how it’s changed the society and norms.