Kenneth Camacho COMM-160 12/16/11 Grindr: Closing the Gap between the Virtual and Real Self Human

interaction is founded on face-to-face communication, where the physical body and speech are used to send and receive messages. With advances in technology, communication has come to surpass various limitations, which has resulted in the redefining of what it means to interact with others. For this paper, focus will be put on the social networking program called Grindr. Grindr is a program available on mobile telephones geared towards male consumers interested in interacting with other men. Unique to this program is its ability to instantly connect users with those in their vicinity. An analysis will be provided on how this social medium has changed the way (predominantly gay) men interact with one another and how it has redefined the identity of these individuals within the social context of the program. Emphasis will be put on the mediums history, its technological novelty, and its impact on users and society at large. Gay courtship, which can be simply described as flirting between men, and any other form of social interaction between non-heterosexual individuals can be robustly observed in gayoriented settings such as gay bars. In an environment where target consumers are nonheterosexual, ones sexual identity is taken for granted; those present are most likely assumed to have interest in other men (hence their presence at the establishment). However, in a much broader social environment, there is a level of uncertainty that individuals must react to. Speaking from my own experiences, in order to determine potential social partners (before initial contact), body language and verbal cues of an individual must be scrutinized by another to a greater extent than what would be put forth in a gay-oriented setting. Initiating homosexual

courtship in a more generalized setting could either lead to a positive acknowledgment of the latter individuals attempts by the former or it can lead to a negative response (e.g., rejection, retaliation towards the initiating person). For homosexuals, its essential to determine a person of interests sexuality before establishing contact for the purpose of courtship in order to avoid homophobic retaliation. In general, there is also an inherent desire for an individual to be in contact with someone he shares a particularity with (e.g., attraction to men) whether it be for platonic or intimate intentions (Vernon 2). The mobile application Grindr specifically accommodates for the male individuals desire to interact with other men and its with greater certainty that those he comes in contact with are interested in men and/or being contacted by men. Grindr is a social networking program available on most current models of phones called smartphones (e.g., iPhones, Blackberries, Androids). The program uses the smartphones global positioning system (GPS) capability in order to identify users who are within the vicinity of an individual, while profiles are hierarchically displayed from closest to nearest (Vernon 1). The program is the brainchild of Joel Simkhai, who himself identifies as a gay man. Simkhai states that the concept of Grindr comes from the predicament that all gay individuals come across, which is finding others to identify with based on sexuality (Vernon 2). Grindrs development was kickstarted by the debut of the second generation of the iPhone, which was the first of its kind to use GPS technology (Vernon 2). It enabled Simkhai to manifest his desire to connect with other homosexuals like himself into a real technological concept. In 2008, Simkhai teamed up with Danish program developer Bek Ditlevsen and his friend Scott Lewallen to create Grindr. It is stated that it took the team of three six months and a investment of $5,000 to build and launch the mobile program (Vernon 3). For the first few months following its launch, growth

was steady but not relatively significant as no formal advertisement was bought while it was highly depended on members to spread the word. However, after being presented on the popular British tech show called Top Gear, Grindr experienced its initial boost as downloads of the program reached 30-40,000 within that week (Vernon 3; Kapp 1). Currently, the program has a membership base of over one million with users coming from 180 different countries (Kapp 1). On average, users spend approximately 1.3 hours per day logged onto the program. The time spent is shared between actively browsing the profiles of other users, interacting with other users, and intermittently checking for messages/responses. Compared to the process of real-world courtship and communication in general, Grindr makes it easier to determine who is gay and/or interested in connecting with other men, whether it be in a gay-oriented setting or in the general environment (Rushe 2). There is no specific standard of etiquette when initiating contact with another user on Grindr (Kapp 2). Men can either initiate a conversation by saying hello and introducing themselves or they can be very direct ask what youre intentions are as a member of the program. Basically, the way one presents himself either through an electronic message or what he displays on his profile is totally up to the discretion of the user. However, some rules still do apply that are similar to those implemented in the real world setting: no nudity, no suggestive text pertaining to illegal drugs and/or behavior, and access is limited to those of a specific age (18+ years old). What makes Grindr such a novelty is its attempt to further close the gap between the real and virtual world. With traditional gay-friendly social networking sites (e.g., Adam4Adam, Manhunt, OKCupid), there is no immediacy to offline contact as relative distance or location is not a significant factor for two individuals to establish a connection. High emphasis is put on a profiles provided pictures and autobiographical statements about the profile owner. Meanwhile,

the information given about the owners physical location is limited to the city and or neighborhood they live in, which is only as accurate as to when the profile owner had provided this information. Since there is the perception of disassociated responsibility for the other individual due to the virtual/technological boundary between them, it is much easier to falsify ones identity. On the contrary, Grindrs ability to provide information on the real-time distance of users further blurs the border between the virtual world and the real world. Grindr provides a situationbased meeting dependent on where users are located in current time and space. With situationbased meeting, individuals are expected to meet in the real world soon after a connection is established, since both individuals are conveniently located in the same space (Vara 1). The immediacy and motion towards real-world interaction compel users to provide honest identifying information (i.e. photo, age, interests, etc.). This is due to the sense responsibility for the other that is increased by the greater overlap between ones virtual and real world identity. Along with the increased emphasis on honesty and responsibility, the sense of immediacy provided by situation-based meeting encourage users to be direct and explicit with their intentions (Vernon 4). Since interaction in the form of electronic messages does not span a broad duration of time like traditional sites, users perceive a sense of urgency in acknowledging their intention within their given time frame. For example, if a person wanted to meet someone for a casual sexual encounter (which is often the intention of users of the program), one would access the program when he has time to fulfill this desire and look for those relatively close to him in distance, who also have the same intentions and schedule (Vernon 1; Kapp 2). For this research paper, I conducted a survey consisting of a convenience sample of the homosexual population that may (or may not) have previous experience with using the mobile

program called Grindr (see appendix). The convenience sample consisted of non-heterosexual males that had access to the online survey for a span of 24 hours. The results show that the users of the program predominantly identify as being White/Caucasian with a percentage of 78.9% of respondents. It also shows that the sample did not only use Grindr, but many other traditional social networking platforms alongside it. More than half of the respondents used Grindr (78.9%), 68.4% used OKCupid, while a little under half of respondents (47.4%) used both Adam4Adam and Manhunt. It should be noted that OKCupid is dating/non-sexual oriented in its profiling format, whereas both Adam4Adam and Manhunt are more sexually oriented (which can be seen by the pornographic advertisements displayed in the sites). The results show that the intention of Grindr users were, for the most part, evenly dispersed. It is shown that 58.8% of the sample are motivated by the establishment connections related to friendship, dating, and sexual encounters. However, chatting (textual and/or verbal) is stated to be the greatest motivation for membership (76.5%). With questions pertaining to discrimination perceived on Grindr, eleven out of the seventeen respondents who chose to answer the question state that they have come across discrimination towards themselves due to a certain particularity, which ranged from age, weight, race, and ethnicity. When asked as to whether survey takers had come across discrimination directed towards other people, ten out of sixteen people who chose to respond state that they have come across such discrimination. One respondent even responded to the question by writing, Yes, Im not attracted to black guys or asians. The greatest impact of this technology can be observed in the way Grindr users behave in and outside of the virtual world. After completing an archival analysis of the website Douchebags of Grindr I have concluded certain behavior patterns specifically influenced by the technology. On this website, users of the program submit image copies of other Grindr user

profiles that they deem to be deplorable. Some keywords used to categorize profiles are: femmephobia, racism, ageism, and hypermaterialism. These categories show what users found to be reproachable themes/material on the submitted profiles. Often, these profiles expressed a strong aversion towards a particularity with statements such as, No Asians, Blacks, Fats or Femmes, No Orientals, Only vanilla no chocolate or rice, and Asians = block. Those who may defend these statements might say that its not discrimination and its merely preference. However, one must also take into consideration the psycho-emotional effects that these statements may have on individuals possessing these targeted particularities. For one, these statements or preferences are displayed to a public audience and not privately communicated to a specific individual. As it is publicly broadcasted and not communicated to individuals, the statements are perceived to generalize the subjects of the statement. It objectifies the identity of target individuals as the complexities of the human persona is simplified to particularities such as age, race, ethnicity, feminine/masculine mannerism, and weight. The statements are not only linked to the author as a personal expression of opinion, but one is also responsible for how such messages are interpreted and responded to. When statements such as Asians = block or No Asians, Blacks, Fats or Femmes are encountered on profiles, its given that target individuals would try to interpret the message. When it is stated that being a certain race or any other particularity would result in being blocked or that one would be restricted from initial inquiry to further interaction, the negative implications of the message become linked to the trait. As a result, individuals possessing targeted traits may inherently perceive themselves in a negative manner simply because they possess a trait publicly rejected by another. With a closer analysis of the messages displayed by the users depicted on Douchebags of Grindr, elements such as intimidation, criticism of others, and self-appointed exclusiveness

are present. The diction used by the profile owners implies aggression and forcefulness, where they used words or phrases such as pathetic, ugly, think twice, profanity, and/or exclamation marks to address the Grindr user population. This may perhaps be a tactic used to portray a sense of dominance, power, and masculinity on the authors part. Considering the aversion that can be observed on these profiles towards those who show feminine elements to their personality, it can be assumed that this display of masculinity is perceive to be an ideal, whereas femininity is undervalued (Thorne 358). A paradox can be observed: where the sense of immediacy, timeorientation, and localization was innovated by Grindr, its highly image-based orientation has led to the hyper-idealization of certain traits (e.g., masculinity) and the subjugation of others (e.g, femininity) (358). This technology has paved the way for other companies to provide similar mobile telephone programs using GPS technology. In the heart of Boystown, often referred to as the LGBTQ neighborhood of Chicago, a banner hangs atop on of the popular bars advertising Manhunt Mobile with GPS capabilities. In Apples app store, they now offer Adam4Adam mobile with GPS capabilities and OKCupid without GPS capabilities. Other less well-known companies have attempted to break into the market as mobile/cellular telephones become more sophisticated and interactive. However, Grindr still seems to have control of the market. Nonetheless, this technology and its use will inevitably continue to grow. This growth can also be seen in the greater community with the recent launch of Blendr by the creator of Grindr. This development is to accommodate the apparent requests made by heterosexual women for a similar program (Rushe 1). Blendr, however, will not be as exclusive as Grindr is for homosexual, bisexual, and curious men. It will available to people of all genders and sexual orientations (2). Grindr has brought into the foreground the internal, not talked about problems of the

LGBTQ community. As a group discriminated for the sexuality of its members, the pervasiveness of discrimination (and its presence within the community itself) can be easily ignored or denied (Cheng 1). Grindr and programs just like it will continue to flourish and grow, where the virtual and real world will continue to further overlap. It is my hope that such technology will further self-reflection, scrutiny, and discussion of social problems such as that discussed in this paper.

Appendix 1. Have you ever previously used the mobile application called Grindr? Yes: 84.2% or (16/19) No : 15.8% or (3/19) What is your sexual orientation? Heterosexual: 0% Homosexual: 89.5% or (17/19) Bisexual: 5.3% or (1/19) Asexual: 5.3% or (1/19) Unsure: 0% What is your sex? Male: 100.0% or (18/18) Female: 0% MTF (Male to Female): 0% FTM (Female to Male): 0% What is your race? Asian: 5.3% or (1/19)

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

Black: 5.3% or (1/19) Latino: 5.3% or (1/19) Middle Eastern: 0% Mixed: 0% Native American: 0% South Asian: 5.3% or (1/19) White: 78.9% or (15/19) Other: 0% What is your age? 18 = 1 respondent, 19 = 1 respondent, 20 = 2 respondent 21 = 2 respondent, 22 = 2 respondent, 23 = 1 respondent 24 = 3 respondent, 25 = 1 respondent, 28 = 2 respondent 40 = 2 respondent, 43 = 1 respondent Have you used any of the following (gay) social networking sites/applications? A4A (Adam4Adam): 47.4% or (9/19) Manhunt: 47.4% or (9/19) DList: 15.8% or (3/19) Downelink: 5.3% or (1/19) Grindr: 78.9% or (15/19) Scruff 36.8% or (7/19) OKCupid: 68.4% or (13/19) Other: 10.6% or (2/19)

Appendix (contd.) 7. After using Grindr for at least 1 day/24 hours, what were your motives for using/continuing to use Grindr? (Skip if you have never used Grindr) Chat: 76.5% Friendship: 58.8% Dates: 58.8% Friends: 47.1% Relationships: 35.3% Sexual encounters: 58.8% 8. In your experience of using Grindr, have you ever come across direct/indirect discrimination from others towards yourself or any particularity pertaining to you (i.e. ethnicity, weight, height, mannerisms, etc.)? Please answer yes or no, and elaborate. (Skip if you have never used Grindr) 6 respondents said no 1 respondent just said yes 2 skipped the question yes. age, weight, physical appearance

 I suppose so. Some people were not into the amount of chest/body hair I have and weren't afraid to share their view. "No asians" Yes. Weight is an obvious issue with these sorts of sites in the gay male community. As is mannerisms some men are wanting "masculinity" as opposed to "feminine" gay men when using Grindr. Yes. When using Grindr it only takes less than a minute to realize that a vast majority of users are focused purely on appearance/weight/body type/ etc. Simply look at the high number of headless torsos and you can see the kind of discrimination. Also, when one doesn't have the desired "body" type or photo, a response is not yielded. Yes, because I was asian. yes. race. some people are purely looking for physical. age, height, weight, body type Age Discrimination, not exactly, it was more pertaining to me not wanting to do hookups and just wanting to meet friends. Guy(s) gets upset and calls me a "fucking cock tease" when I clearly stated "im.not looking fir hookups from the start of conversation. 9. In your experience of using Grindr, have you ever come across direct/indirect discrimination from others towards OTHERS of a certain particularity (i.e. ethnicity, weight, height, mannerisms, etc.)? Please answer yes or no, and elaborate. (Skip if you have never used Grindr) 6 respondents said no 1 respondent just said yes 3 skipped the question yes, mostly race, age, physical appearance yes, sum people dont like dem black boisss. Yes. Some ppl specifically state they dont want a certain age, ethnicity, or characteristics (fem). Sometimes this is stated as a preference, which usn't really discrimination. Other times it is disparaging. Appendix (contd.) Yes, many people mention what ethnicity they are and are not into. Many people say thin/muscular/etc. only, as well as straight-acting only. "no femmes, fatties" Yes, guys are clearly discriminating against people who are too gay, or not thin enough, or who are not in shape, etc. Yes, I'm not attracted to black guys or asians. Yes. Weight Yes, plenty of friends will say too fat. Too feminine etc..when talking about another member. As fir myself, I've received the too old comment. But its very far and few between. 10. How frequently do you respond to attempts of other members to contact you? (Skip if you have never used Grindr) Always (4 out of 4): 5.6% or 1/18 Most likely (3 out of 4): 22.2% or 4/18 Sometimes (2 out of 4): 50.0% or 9/18

 Rarely (0 or 1 out of 4 responded to): 22.2% or 4/18 1 skipped the question

Works Cited: Cheng, Rev. Patrick S. Mr. Wongs Dong Emporium: Racism and the Gay Community. Huffington Post. TheHuffingtonPost.com, Inc., 28 September 2011. 17 December 2011. Kapp, Matt. Grindr: Welcome to the Worlds Biggest, Scariest Gay Bar. Vanity Fair. Conde Nast, 27 May 2011. Web. 13 December 2011. Rushe, Dominic. Grind app goes straight - but there are different rules for women. The Guardian/The Observer. Guardian News and Media Limited, 5 February 2011. 13

December 2011. Thorne, Barrie. 1986/2003. Girls and Boys Together... But Mostly Apart: Gender Arrangements in Elementary School Pps. 369-368 in Reconstructing Gender edited by Estelle Disch. Vara, Vauhini. App Watch: IPhone-Assisted Dates Go Straight. The Wall Street Journal. Dow Jones & Company Inc., 8 September 2011. Web. 13 December 2011. Vernon, Polly. Grindr: a new sexual revolution? The Guardian/The Observer. Guardian News and Media Limited, 3 July 2010. 13 December 2011.