Happy Valentine’s Day – NOT!

Posted February 14th, 2012 at 4:01 pm (UTC-4)
3 comments

The Internet’s Love/Hate Relationship with the Day of Love

Doug Bernard | Washington DC

Update Feb. 13, 2017: Venngage Infographics, a data graphics firm, has put together a series of 30 charts on Valentine’s Day that are somehow both nerdy and sweet. You can check it out right here.

 

Question: if someone texts “<3” to you, does that count as a Valentine?

I pondered that this morning when I noticed my mobile phone blinking, warning me I had a new text message. “<3” it read, the Internet-speak version of a heart. My real-life sweetheart sent it this morning, and while I smiled on receiving it, it didn’t quite feel the same as, say, finding a card in a red envelope on my pillow.

Sweet expression of affection, or mawkish display? (AP Photo/Czarek Sokolowski)

In fact, as the Internet and mobile communications continue to invade our lives, holidays like St. Valentine’s Day are changing, and not always to everyone’s satisfaction.

To be fair, V-Day (as it’s abbreviated) is a mixed bag in various parts of the world. For example, for many centuries the holiday was unheard of in India, a culture with its own pantheon of love spirits (such as Kamadev, who – like Cupid – shoots lovers through the heart with a bow of flowers.) But with cultures mixing and globalizing through the web and mass communications, swelling ranks of  young, amorous Indians are embracing the holiday, emulating Western-style traditions of giving flowers, sweets or jewelry.

Not so in neighboring Iran, where religious authorities scowl at what’s considered a gaudy, over-commercialized ritual from the West. Valentine’s Day is a very big day in Japan, where modern tradition has women giving men gifts, but almost nonexistent in Uzbekistan, where authorities actively suppress any celebrations. It isn’t because the Uzbek’s don’t like love, it’s just they would rather their citizens mark their own cultural homage to affection, known as St. Zaxiriddin’s Day.

There have always been critics of St. Valentine’s Day, such as people who consider it to be a manufactured celebration by retailers to use guilt to prod couples to shop.  Witness “The Simpsons” parody of “Love Day – a summertime holiday created by merchants merely to boost sluggish sales. And the Internet, with its emphasis on easy cynicism and off-color humor, has only amplified those criticisms. These days you can advertise your celebration of “Anti-Valentine’s Day” on Facebook, or send your friends some decidedly anti-loving sentiments with heavily marketed email cards. “I want to grow old and disgusting with you,” reads one of the tamer greetings.

As digital texts and emails have proliferated, traditional ink-on-paper mail and cards have greatly decreased. That goes for general mail as well as holiday cards, and sales of St. Valentine’s Day greeting cards have plummeted. True, candy and flower sales surge in many countries, and in the U.S. restaurants fill up with couples on this day. But increasingly, the days of opening a Valentine’s card envelope are falling by the wayside, as digital greetings become commonplace.

 

Like many, I have a love/hate relationship with the holiday dedicated to love. Flowers and a kiss are always preferred. But if I’m to co-exist with our new, digital world, a “<3” text on my mobile phone will do.

 

3 responses to “Happy Valentine’s Day – NOT!”

  1. marperl says:

    Did an interview with Cupid, CEO of Cupido last Valentine’s Day. It’s now at
    http://marperl.blogspot.com/.

    Cupido Inc.

    The once cherubic face has matured. The soft curls have thinned out and are flecked with gray. The infamous pair of wings are now snugly furled under a tailored three-piece suit. But Cupid, CEO at Cupido Inc., says nothing has really changed.

    “This is basically the same organization it’s always been,” states the God of Love. “Our goals remain the same, although we have had to keep up with the times.” continued. . .

  2. […] Posted by inetextmessage on September 8, 2011 in Txt Msg Abbreviations · 0 Comments Happy Valentine's Day – NOT! I pondered that this morning when I noticed my mobile phone blinking, warning me I had a new text message. “<3″ it read, the Internet-speak version of a heart. My real-life sweetheart sent it this morning, and while I smiled on receiving it, … Read more on Voice of America (blog) […]

Leave a Reply to marperl Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

What’s Digital Frontiers?

What’s Digital Frontiers?

The Internet, mobile phones, tablet computers and other digital devices are transforming our lives in fundamental and often unpredictable ways. “Digital Frontiers” investigates how real world concepts like privacy, identity, security and freedom are evolving in the virtual world.

Find us on twitter

Calendar

February 2012
M T W T F S S
« Jan   Mar »
 12345
6789101112
13141516171819
20212223242526
272829