New York University offers students a vast, populous city to explore during their undergrad years. Living in New York City is a natural rush. Being part of a campus within the city has many unique advantages. If you live here, there is something new to do every evening. Between shows, food, and events, there are always new people to meet. Whether you meet at a bar, in your building, or on the street, New York is for lovers.
Aziz Ansari visited NYU to speak about his first book release, "Modern Romance." When it comes to loving in the digital age, he writes that technology has enabled a 24-hour singles bar inside our devices. The book is a pragmatic approach to love in an age of swiping right. He writes about how many options are at our fingertips, especially in the city. It is a hilarious read, backed up by sociologist and Director of NYU's Institute for Public Knowledge, Eric Klinenberg, and an official subreddit. Aziz's visit to NYU was a great introduction to the book, where he read some truly horrific texts.
<span id="selection-marker-1" class="redactor-selection-marker" data-verified="redactor"></span>Love is a funny thing: we let someone into our lives, and they leave footsteps behind. Hookup culture is a driving force in college, and yet most students never consider the long-term game. Most think settling down is equal to settling. I feel the opposite way.
Once you take someone out on a fifth or sixth date, you really understand where they are coming from. Aziz spent endless nights at bars until 4 a.m., trying to score with any girl walking in at 3:35 a.m. When he realized how fruitless this was, he began meeting friends of friends at events. His search for romance took him around the world to cities like Tokyo, Paris, and Buenos Aires. City-dwellers are faced with a unique challenge. When there are new possibilities around every corner, it can be difficult to settle down.
The best and worst part of dating is trust. Technology gives us access to the endless number of singles in college. In reality, the more time we spend staring at the screens, the more they stare back. Couples are broken apart by snooping, and trust is key to know someone in person. Texting is great for introductions, but the rest of your relationship should be face to face.
Ansari goes on to state that in the past 10 years, one third of couples met online in the U.S. We're always tempted to go back online and aimlessly float in the sea of faces. It is important to know your options away from the screen. If everyone spent that time getting together with actual people, we would be better off. Settling down may seem limiting, especially in the city, but in the end it opens yourself to being vulnerable. Vulnerability, dropping pretenses for something serious, is the most direct path to finding love.
