Technology Meets Saint Valentine

I'm a romantic. I admit it. I write poetry, appreciate a good ballad, and can be persuaded to watch a good love story if it's enmeshed in the glow of good writing. But I also love technology, as anyone who spends any time with me understands, so it really was inevitable that I would come across the unholy union of the two at some point as we approached this Saint valentine's Day.

My brush with cyber-cupid came in the form of an electronic valentine sent to me, remarkably, by my dentist. Now, I like my dentist, but I didn't get him anything, and since we see each other on a bi-annual basis, unless of course he's on vacation at either of the two points during the year I happen to be on his office, I didn't feel a card of any kind was necessary. So imagine my surprise to see a little red and pink animated gif sitting in my inbox along with an innocuous link. A quick click and I was transported to the larger e-card, complete with some cheesy midi music to complete the tableau. The standard message was emblazoned across the red heart, smaller pink hearts floating around their bigger, redder brethren.

I don't want to appear ungrateful. The gesture is well taken, especially in this age of suspect customer service and faltering brand loyalty. But viewing the card forced me to really look at the contradictory ideas contained within. Valentines are supposed to be heartfelt messages reserved, in theory, for the people that really matter to you. The effort put in to creating the message, whether in a homemade card or in the thoughtful words penned inside a store bought Hallmark, are the measures of the sincerity. Just remembering to send a valentine for some of us is a testament of our depth of emotion. But email is just so easy, and e-cards are especially easy. You never even have to get up from the couch: just a few taps and clicks and there you go: instant sentiment.

I just think that Cupid looks better with his wings, bow and arrow, and toga. The image of a cherub with a laptop leaves me cold.