A few years back, my husband and I were enjoying a walk around our neighborhood and we stopped to chat with a neighbor. She had big news, she was getting married! I was genuinely happy for her and asked the obvious question, "When is the wedding?" Suddenly her face became wrinkled with indignation and she said very sarcastically, "I don't know yet, mother!" Ouch. I wasn't trying to offend her but I got her point. She didn't appreciate the question. We congratulated her again and kept walking.
I know when you're single the incessant questions from parents and relatives can be a bit much, especially when you don't have an answer that will satisfy them. Think it would be nice to get them off your back? Well, tech creator Matthew Homann wants to help you fend off such "unpleasantries," and he's doing it with his original apps, Invisible Boyfriend, and Invisible Girlfriend. But will these apps really help you? Well, let's take a look and see.
Here is how the app works: When you sign up for a specific package, you will be able to select your boyfriend's or girlfriend's name and looks, and customize his/her personal information. Then your mystery date will send you texts, pictures, and leave you voicemails. You'll be able to carry on real-time text conversations that would fool anybody into believing you've finally got a significant other. The creators are working up to having your mystery man or woman communicate with phone calls, gifts, personal notes, flowers and more. Pretty incredible, eh?
The Invisible Boyfriend/Girlfriend website states:
Invisible Boyfriend gives you real-world and social proof that you’re in a relationship - even if you’re not - so you can get back to living life on your own terms... Put simply, this platform helps you create credible, reasonable stories that you can bring home to curious mom, your buddies, and coworkers.
Okay. So, problem solved, right? Hmmm... maybe not.
If Loving You Is Wrong, I Don't Want To Be Right
Or maybe the better question is, how far are you willing to go to fool people into believing you're in a relationship? One guy actually commented that his invisible girlfriend helped him get a real girlfriend. When she saw that some other girl was texting him, she felt she had to make a decision and so she did. Some would call that manipulation. Is that really a good way to start a romantic relationship?
The FAQ's section of the website lists some distinct benefits when using their app such as if you're living an immoral lifestyle you don't want others to know about, you can cover it up with your imaginary boy or girlfriend who can also let unwelcome pursuers know you're not available. But one "perk" listed on the website that I found equally amusing and disturbing was this premise: Ever been trapped and forced to tell a lie, then another, until even you don’t know the truth? As if only one big lie was optimum.
I'm not out to bash technology or ways to make your life better because technology is just a tool, but we all know misusing a tool creates problems. If you try to hammer nails into a piece of wood with an iPhone, you're going to be very unhappy with the result. So, my point is, how can lying to your friends and family ever be a good thing? And if someone is willing to go that far and actually be comfortable with it, how trustworthy a partner would he or she really make?
The Lost Virtue Of Honor
Honor is a virtue that is not practiced as widely as it used to be, but it plays a key role in helping you build a lasting relationship with someone special. Romans 12:10 speaks of the delight two people will receive in honoring each other: “Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other.” St. Paul was saying this is how we should treat everyone, family and friends included. But certainly being in love and having a successful relationship is really about showing love and honor to your significant other, not lying to and manipulating them. As Catholics, let's be a light to the world through building each other up and treating each other honorably instead of looking out for our own interests and convenience.
I welcome your questions and feedback! Just send an email to [email protected] or follow me on Twitter @lisaduffy.
