Matchmaker matchmaker, make me a ... ?

So I signed up for Match.com last night. I had (and have) been using the free service, OkCupid, but I think that Match might have a couple of advantages or benefits over OkCupid, despite its costs (it's $108 total for the premium account for 6 months, or $102 if you get the second tier account, or you can pay something like $35 for one month or something a little more than $18 but less than $35 per month for 3 months).

Though the cost can be seen as a potential drawback - I actually see this as a good thing for a couple of reasons:

1. It means that the person must have at least a little money to spend on this, so there's no freeloaders or people without jobs.
   
2. People with money are generally employable - which means that other people (and not cats) also like this person.
   
3. They're interested in actually pursuing a relationship with someone they meet online (unless they don't mind throwing money away) whereas on a free site, you tend to find a lot of flakes who aren't necessarily as sure about putting a foot in the water of online dating.
   

I'm sure there are other perks that I haven't noticed just yet - but I'm ready to get back in the dating game so I'm hoping that I can meet some interesting people, and sooner rather than later would be nice.

And if I don't meet anyone in 6 months, I can get another 6 months free. But I'm not so sure that this is a guarantee for my benefit, or a subtle way of telling me that if I can't find someone in 6 months, it's because I suck.

The Future of Search

Unless you live under a rock, or are addicted to the crack rock, chances are, you've seen and/or heard of the new Microsoft Search Engine, BING. Oh wait, I mean "decision engine." That being said, Bing is essentially exactly the same as the old Microsoft Search Engine(s) - just rebranded. Sure, it has a couple new cool features - like being able to preview videos in the video search (and sometimes bypass filters at work) - or being able to see when the price of plane tickets will go down (which is nice, if you have a very flexible travel schedule - but it won't tell you the cheapest ticket to find today).

And then just this week, a new "decision engine" was launched by one of the co-founders of Flickr, and this "decision engine" is called Hunch. This particular decision engine works basically like a quiz engine - yes, just like those annoying quizzes you see on Facebook or signed up for on OKCupid.com three years ago. Though Hunch has some potentially more useful capabilities, I'm sure it'll be dumbed down just like Twitter.

But what decisions ultimately come down to is the data available. When you buy a car, it's not (at least I hope it's not) because a website told you - this is the best car. Rather, it's because you were able to compare the specs of the car you chose to other similarly priced cars (after you've figured out your car budget) and determined that you like this one's safety, reliability, fuel economy, number of cup holders, engine power, and aesthetics.

Or when choosing an MBA program, it isn't because a website said - this is the best MBA program for you. It's because you spoke to alumni, current students, researched career placement/advancement, looked at starting salaries of graduates, courses offered, other opportunities offered, name recognition, and so forth.

Perhaps when all of this data is compiled into one place, then you'll be able to use a "decision engine" - but even if all this data is put into one place - ultimately, how different is an Accord v. a Camry, or Harvard v. Yale? It just comes down to emotion, and no computer is going to be able to help you make that decision. You'll have to rely on the best decision engine available to you - your brain.

Exciting Time in Sports

So, the past week (and the upcoming one) are an exciting period in sports. Yes, I know that college basketball has now been over for a little more than two months, and that college football and the NFL won't start for another two and a half - but the summer isn't necessarily a complete dead zone (a la Verizon) for sports fanatics.

This past week had probably the 2nd best hockey game I've ever seen, with a thrilling Stanley Cup Final Game 7 between the Penguins and the Red Wings. For those of you wondering, the best game ever was the Miracle on Ice, the thrilling 1980 medal round game between the USA and the communist USSR hockey juggernaut.

Then there were the NBA Finals, which was the 4th NBA title for Kobe Bryant (though one could make the argument he should have been co-MVP with Gasol) - which even though the Lakers won the series 4-1, change a few plays and the two teams are still playing with the Magic up 3-2. It would've been better had the Cavs made the finals, but that's because I'm a homer for all Cleveland franchises.

The MLB draft took place - and the Cleveland Indians landed my fellow Tar Heel Alex White, which I'm super stoked about because the Indians could always use more pitching (though right now, I think they could use more of anything they can get their hands on). Dustin Ackley, now the UNC record holder in career hits, went #2 overall to Seattle - so it was pretty cool to see two Tar heels go in the first 15 picks.

And then finally, this week, we have the US Open. While one can't expect for their to be the same level of drama as last year's - it should be a pretty exciting event to watch. Will Tiger resume his major form? Or will Phil rally around his wife's cancer and play the tournament of his life? Or perhaps someone completely different (but not Sergio, because he can't win for shit) will emerge victorious from the field (perhaps Rocco Mediate gets his, one year later?). Regardless, I'll be following the PGA leaderboard all weekend long.

Whine and Cheese

I am sick and tired of people who don't understand basic principles of business attempting to attach their own thoughts of what business "should" or "should not" be to the internet, a product, a brand, or anythingelseinthefuckingworld.

Recently, I've read a lot of complaints comparing SEO consultants or "Social Media Gurus/Experts/Etc." to SNAKE OIL SALESMEN.

Having grown up in the South, I understand the negative attributes associated with the so-called snake oil salesman. However, because I was raised by a pair of intelligent parents, I also possess the ability to discern when I'm being blatantly lied to.

There is a proverb used by Obi Wan Kenobi in STAR WARS, and probably elsewhere, that goes: "Who is more foolish: the fool, or the fool who follows him?"

The point is: if you can't tell when you're talking to a snake oil salesman, then kudos to him for every jar of snake oil that he sells you. Sure, maybe *his* ethics are questionable, but if you travel around a little bit, you'll discover that there are plenty of people who are more than happy to rip you off if you're willing to let them (even if they are offering you a legitimate/necessary service).

Yes, it'd be nice if we lived in a world full of unicorns and rainbows and sunshine and sprinkles - but we don't. There are people who will try to take advantage of the ... less than savvy - and if you're one of them - whose fault is that? Certainly not theirs.