Is the Swipe Era Over? - The Daily Recap

Podcast: The Daily

Published: 2026-02-22

Duration: 35 min

Guests: Gina Sherilis, Amanda Hess

Summary

The episode explores the current dissatisfaction with dating apps, particularly the swipe feature popularized by Tinder, and investigates how people are seeking alternative ways to form romantic connections, including in-person events and AI-driven matchmaking.

What Happened

The episode kicks off with the story of how Jonathan Bedine came up with the idea for Tinder's swipe feature, which revolutionized online dating by allowing users to quickly approve or dismiss potential matches. However, a decade later, many users are expressing fatigue with this method, citing higher costs, distrust in algorithms, and safety concerns as major issues. Gina Sherlis, a dating columnist, explains that daters are increasingly frustrated with apps, feeling like they're being manipulated to spend money rather than find love.

Sherlis notes that people are responding to app fatigue by either reverting to traditional methods of meeting people in person or exploring how AI might improve their chances of finding love. She highlights the loss of rejection resilience due to dating apps, which have made it easier to avoid the discomfort of approaching someone in person. The episode explores how technology has influenced social interactions, diminishing skills in reading nonverbal cues and understanding tone.

The episode transitions to in-person dating events, as producer Luke Vanderplug attends two unique singles events in New York City. The first event, a wrestling speed dating mixer for Gen Z, reveals that many participants are tired of the apps and are willing to try unconventional methods to meet people. Despite the unusual setting, some attendees do form meaningful connections.

The second event is a wine mixer with a significant gender imbalance due to pricing strategies. Women pay a premium to attend, reflecting the challenge of attracting men to such events. Many attendees express a desire for more genuine interactions, feeling that in-person events allow them to be more authentic than digital profiles.

The episode also delves into the role of AI in dating, with Amanda Hess discussing the Love Symposium, a gathering focused on using technology to optimize relationships. Ideas include AI agents that could date on behalf of users and environments that facilitate romantic encounters through AI-enhanced settings.

However, there remains skepticism about AI's ability to truly replicate the chemistry and serendipity of real-life interactions. The episode concludes with the observation that even tech-focused events like the Love Symposium end with attendees seeking human connection through activities like wrestling, underscoring the enduring appeal of face-to-face encounters.

Key Insights