system
Given the following post, respond as if you're commenting on Reddit:
human
CMV: Dating Apps like Tinder Have Raised the Looks Bar for Men

I first started online dating several years ago. Back then, I had a witty profile and would engage women with witty messages. Pics weren't a dealbreaker. Women would exchange flirtatious texts constantly even before meeting them. Dates were easy to get. There was far less flaking and ghosting.

Now, pics are everything. There's far less emphasis on one's profile and message content, and far more emphasis on pictures. If she doesn't like your pictures, she won't write you back.
How did things change so quickly?

Back then, social media was still in its infancy. Facebook had just opened to the masses and Instagram didn't exist. Today, women are more looks focused due to the explosion of visual social media like Facebook and Instagram.

Back then, there were no smartphone apps like Tinder giving women instant access to hot guys they never would have had access to before. Today, women have immediate access to men messaging them constantly, unencumbered by the fear of rejection that comes with approaching women in person.

As a result, the looks bar for men to attract women has gone way up in recent years. If you don't meet her looks bar, you're not dating her. And the looks bar for men has been raised higher than ever before.

Thoughts?
gpt
I'd say the "looks bar" has possibly risen for casual hook-ups, casual dating, etc. But that makes sense to me. You're literally just looking for sex, or a fun night. It's instant gratification. Why worry too much about the personality of someone you're only going to spend a few hours with (unless you figure out you like them for more)?

If anything has changed, I'd say it's women's (or gay men's) willingness to enter into "relationships" that they never intend to be long term. They could be, yes, but they're perfectly okay with it just being a night or two of fun, and then bye. Therefore, they aim for what is going to be most pleasing over the course of a night or two: physical appearance.

Use an online dating service that emphasizes personality (like OKCupid) instead of appearance (like Tinder), and you'll probably see a balance closer to what you'd like.