@globalcasebook - Tumblr Blog

Dear @subtlesage

I find your hypothesis to be lacking in logic. While I do agree with the argument that the anonymity allows people the opportunity to be more open and that this is not an in person conversation they have time to edit themselves instead of saying the first things that comes to mind. I do not know that I would be able to agree that it can build an honest relationship as we are all lying to one another off the bat with it. And, as a counter to my own thoughts, people can just as easily lie and you would have no way of knowing it. Wasn't there a whole dictionary term created for the word catfish because of this very phenomena?

You would be correct, I am mostly looking to see the results of this experiment, though if some sort of connection were to occur I would not stop it in its tracks. Though, given the conversations I've had, or the lack of replies to my original emails, I am afraid I am not adding to the positive results in the conclusion of this event.

From,

globalcasebook

#subtlesage

subtlesage

Dear Globalcasebook,

I am so terribly sorry I haven't gotten back to your email until now. I am very interested in this method of yours. I would like to think of myself as forward, but with tact. I suppose with the anonymity of this, we can be as forward as we would like without the fear of social rejection. I am keen to continue getting to know you past small talk. What topics did you have in mind?

Best, SubtleSage

Dear @subtlesage

There's no need to apologize. You replied when you had the time. There's nothing more to it than that.

I appreciate your willingness to comply. As for the topics I would want to discuss, I would want to first start with asking why you decided to sign up for this experiment? Are you looking for a relationship out of it? Or were you simply interested in the novelty of the anonymous email writing?

Your answer to this should determine where our conversation goes from there.

From,

globalcasebook

#subtlesage

Write Me a Letter || Globaltechnique

globalcasebook,

Interesting. We'll have to see if your results hold up to your hypothesis.

A reasonable piece of advice. Not one that everyone agrees with, particularly if they are looking for interesting, but it does generally apply.

You can ask people to compromise but you can't ask people to change. Don't expect that people will.

@globalcasebook

Dear @techniquedeficient,

If you are interested, I will make a note to forward you my results.

Your advice is sound, thank you for sharing. I don't expect people to do much of anything in regards to other people, unless it affects them directly, so I try to avoid asking them for anything if it can be helped.

What are your thoughts and opinions on the concept of loyalty? When do you feel like someone has earned it? When do you feel like it's been broken?

From,

globalcasebook

Write Me a Letter || Globaltechnique

Globalcasebook,

What is your hypothesis with this experiment?

An interesting life is one where I get to make choices that let me do work that matters to me and that is useful. I agree with your point about questions and answers. If I have no more questions, then I've run out of reasons to be alive.

What's your one piece of advice?

@globalcasebook

Dear @techniquedeficient

There are several that could be applied to this experiment, but I think I'd narrow it down to: If given the opportunity to interact anonymously with other people through a closed messaging system, then they are more likely to find a romantic partnership because the anonymity and privacy the messaging system provides allows for conversation that might not otherwise be held in person.

I don't know that I have a singular one piece of advice. I don't think there is anything that could be applied to any and all situations and be useful. Except perhaps maybe, Safety first.

And yours? What is your piece of wisdom to share?

From,

globalcasebook

Write Me a Letter || Globaltechnique

Globalcasebook,

Interesting. Are you planning to track each of the couples that do result to see how long they stay together?

It's something that happens to all of us. It's best to be prepared for when it comes, but there's no point dwelling on it consistently. Might as well live the best you can until it happens.

What makes an interesting life?

@globalcasebook

Dear @techniquedeficient

Perhaps not as closely as one would a proper experiment, but I would actually pay attention to the status of their relationship should it arise in conversation. Which, given the town's tendencies for gossip, I would imagine would come up some time whether I did want to know or not.

That's a very sensible answer, thank you for sharing.

An interesting life to me would suggest that I am not bored when boredom becomes cumbersome rather then a necessity. One that is full of challenges, as all lives are, but that I am still willing to take them on rather than rolling over and allowing them to keep me on the ground. It has accomplishments. It's a series of questions and finding the answers to them.

What is your definition of an interesting life?

From,

globalcasebook

threadbare-vhs

Dear globalcasebook,

I think there's the romantic side of me that does want to believe in soulmates, but there's a cynical side that doesn't think that could be possible. Then again, stranger things than soulmates have definitely existed.

There are other places I feel quite tied to as well, and I've seen my fair share of people come and go from Swynlake that its made me long for the places and people I miss. Any outside pressures are put on by my own expectations of myself. I also wouldn't go to an unknown area, I would probably return to a place that's familiar and has familiar people in it. Sometimes I feel as though I've abandoned people that needed me for rather selfish and pointless reasons, but I know that that isn't the case.

I've just been unsure of what path I should take for a while now, and maybe if I was able to find someone that path would become more clear.

I think the main difference between this and Love is Blind is that those are reality TV stars who are in fact being seen by a camera. They're putting on a show and trying to become memorable in a way to an audience. We're just trying to be ourselves and get to connect with people in our community on a deeper level, in the eyes of no one but our matches.

I do like to think love can be blind. While everyone having one specific soulmate might not be a true theory, I do believe peoples souls can feel connected once they meet, and that bond can transcend physical appearances.

Or maybe that's just me being a romantic again.

So you're just here for the experiment of it all? You're not hoping you could find love through this?

Thoughtfully yours,

ThreadbareVHS

@globalcasebook

Dear @threadbare-vhs

As much as I tried, I cannot think of an argument to your point. You are correct, stranger things have happened. In this town alone. For my part, though you did not ask, I think the concept of a soul mate in the sense that one person is made for another is utter nonsense. The concept that people could become that to one another, building the connection into such a level, is far more agreeable. I would hate to think my free will was stripped of anything, let alone something as dire as the person I'm supposed to be in love with. Seems like a rather unromantic notion that someone else's done all the work. No one has been made for anyone. I have to believe we make ourselves, and can allow others to help in the creation of who we become.

Thank you for clarifying, your point makes more sense from an emotional stand point. I hope that you are able to find peace with your decisions. Obviously you made them for a reason.

You would be correct again. I would say that perhaps you are too forgiving in thinking that everyone in this experiment has entered for the right reasons. Perhaps you have been lucky with your matches and they all seem genuine. Others not so much.

Yes and no. I understand that the vast majority of people entered into this with the intention of finding a romantic connection. I did not enter without this knowledge. Therefore, I am here to both see the success rate of the experiment and if I am among them then I shall be added in the conclusion portion. Though I cannot say I am as optimistic as you seem for myself.

With this in mind, do you wish to continue writing to me? If your answer is no or you do not reply to this email, no harm will be done.

From,

globalcasebook

#threadbare vhs

Write Me a Letter || Globaltechnique

Globalcasebook,

What would you consider a measure of success or failure with this experiment? Is it the number of couples that result as a whole or the number of connections you make?

I'm not interested in something like tinder as that kind of quick judgement and quick conversation doesn't work for me. I find myself interested in who I'll meet through here and what I'll learn about them It's possible I'll find someone to try dating, its possible I won't, but I stay open to the outcome.

Why did you feel you had an obligation to sign up?

@globalcasebook

Dear @techniquedeficient

Very good questions. I'm glad you asked; given that this was advertised as an anonymous way to meet your special someone this Valentine's Day and we were required to submit dating preferences, one is led to conclude that the experiment is predicated on finding a romantic relationship. In my opinion, a success would be a match that are able to enter into a romantic relationship (whether this is with one person or multiple depends purely upon those involved's preference on polygamy vs monogamy) and it has positive development post this experiment. (Positive development defined by having a long term relationship that lasts more than half a year and, if it does come to a conclusion, one or more parties involved can agree that the relationship was worth being apart of for the allotted time.)

Thank you for sharing, I appreciate it. I will also admit to admiring your seeming optimism. It seems you have the desire of what possibility was promised from this experiment. I hope that you are able to find success.

Unfortunately, I cannot answer your question as to my obligations without giving my identity away. I will attempt to satiate any curiosity in saying that it really isn't that interesting, nor was I pressured.

As I stated before, and as you've seemed to agree upon in wanting to get to know people, I will propose a new topic of discussion to further our knowledge of one another.

What are your thoughts and feelings on death?

From,

globalcasebook

threadbare-vhs

Dear globalcasebook,

Hello!

That’s a very direct approach. Which is fair, I understand.

I’m looking for something that could turn into q relationship. I don’t want to expect to come out of here having found my soulmate but it would be nice.

To be quite honest not much is keeping me in town other than my career and I would like to find more reasons to hang around because I do love it here. So finding someone would definitely make it far more worth it to settle down more seriously here.

What are you looking for?

Best regards,

ThreadbareVHS

Dear @threadbare-vhs

Thank you for being understanding, I appreciate it. As well as our reply.

That's a level headed answer, though it's made me curious as to whether you believe in the theory of soulmates?

Your next statement has left me a tad perplexed, admittedly. You like it Swynlake, and yet you think that's not ample enough means to continue living here? Is there some sort of outside pressure pushing you to leave, but the excuse of your job is able to tether you here? Or do you see yourself moving elsewhere without social ties to the town?

I am looking for answers. Namely as to whether or not this sort of mass experiment works. It's only a short stones throw from Love is Blind, and that show has yielded varying results. None of which have convinced me that love is 'blind.'

From,

globalbookcase

@threadbare-vhs

#threadbare vhs

First things first || indigocasebook

Dear @globalcasebook

I do appreciate your point. Doing everything via mail certainly should cut out the awkwardness of meeting someone for a first date, but I think dating in any form can be something of a humiliation ritual at first. At least until everyone’s comfortable enough to be able to talk without worrying too much about what the other is thinking of them.

I do wonder though, does cutting to the chase not shorten the experiment quite a bit? What do you talk about when you’ve already covered the more meaningful topics?

Anyway, to cut to the chase: I suppose I want a connection that lasts rather than the typical tinder thing; I would like to say more liberal, but I think liberal politics is anything even slightly left of center nowadays; I would be willing to move if the need/desire arose; no family issues to speak of; and as for the last one, I’m not too sure. I feel like we might have covered them all? I’m sure you can point out a few more, and I’d be interested to know your answers.

Warm regards,

mysteriousindigo

Dear @mysteriousindigo

That is precisely the stage in which I am attempting to avoid, since it has no place here. Perhaps, in the future, when you were to meet your match in person, then those things can be warranted. But, by your logic, if you were to speak of things that mattered and showed one's self, then at least there would be an understanding there to rely upon rather than not knowing anything than one's most favored pen.

I think that depends upon the conversation. If it's boring, you won't want to continue it. If you want to talk to someone, you'll find other things to talk about for as long as possible. The more engaging topics have more discuss anyhow! To think, we've been discussing the mere notion of topics for the entirety of our conversation, where as if I simply shared my preferred pen, we would have already moved on to something else. Perhaps kitchen utensils.

Thank you for answering all of those questions. Let's start with the first one and go from there.

Question: What do you want out of a relationship?

Answer: I suppose I want a connection that lasts rather than the typical tinder thing.

Admittedly, I had to look up your meaning behind this. I was unaware of the dating app. From what I researched, there are many varied cases for relationships on the platform. Some never leaving the app, and some going on to result in unions that have yet to separate. It does appear that it yields more negative and shorter results, though. Am I assuming correctly that you are then looking for something akin to a serious relationship? Someone you wan to spend the rest of your life with, essentially?

From,

globalcasebook

#mysteriousindigo

Write Me a Letter || Globaltechnique

Dear globalcasebook,

Interesting response.

I've been told my dating technique could use work, we'll see how this experience goes and if that is still true. I felt it more useful to be honest at the start of this correspondence.

What made you want to sign up here?

@globalcasebook

Dear @techniquedeficient

Honesty has been said to be the best policy. We'll see if it works out for you, and your brush up on your dating technique, shall we?

I signed up for this because I felt I had an obligation to for several reasons. I also wanted to see what the results and conclusions of this experiment were, especially since it's a repeated one. One of this scale is hard to come by, especially without paying participants for their time.

What about you? Or was it merely to get practice? In which case, is writing emails to strangers what you think dating has become these days?

From,

globalcasebook

Dear @subtlesage

Hello, sorry for the late start with this one. I can assure you, you were not over looked. As it were, we have matched.

I've been attempting to be forward with this and will continue to do, despite the results I've been acquiring. I would like to not have to be subjected to having to discuss surface level topics. We are strangers. If we don't want to meet one another at the end of this, we never will. Therefore it would be smart to take this exercise as it should be used, to get to know one another without the shackles of societal norms.

If you do not agree with this method, feel free to say so. I will not be offended. I will respect you for your decision, and wish you well on your endeavors with your other matches. Thank you.

From,

globalcasebook

#subtlesage

Dear @threadbare-vhs

Hello, we have matched.

I am going to be cutting to the chase on these, it seems pointless to dillydally and time is something no one can get back. I see no sense in wasting anyone's or my own.

What was your purpose behind signing up for this? What are you looking to get out of it?

Thanks,

globalcasebook

#threadbare vhs

Dear @wakeful-frostlily

Hello, it seems we matched.

In an effort to make this more efficient for the both of us, I'm going to propose we skip the prompts or other trivial questions and go to the things that will actually result in a relationship or not.

So, to start out; why did you sign up for this and what are you looking to get out of it?

Thanks,

globalcasebook

#wakeful frostlily

First things first || indigocasebook

Dear @globalcasebook

It sounds like you might be the one who's made up your mind as to whether or not you want to continue. Truthfully I don't mind a bit of small talk, especially on day one. I think small talk has its place in putting people at ease and forming early bonds between two people who don't know each other, especially when they're doing so via the internet.

But, that being said, I'm happy to 'cut to the meat of things', as you very aptly put it. Though I'm curious as to what that means to you. If you don't find talking about your ideal first date or your favourite writing utensil worthy of your time, what subjects are?

For the record: my favourite writing utensil is a zebra z-grip ballpoint pen. I go through a lot of them, and they've never let me down.

Warm regards,

mysteriousindigo

Dear @mysteriousindigo

You're very presumptuous, but then I suppose you've also disclosed that you are looking at this as a game so I can't blame you for making theories so that I will have to directly deny or back up the claims you're putting down. Well done.

As for your opinions on the matters, I find that an interesting take. Wouldn't you wish to discuss the things that actually matter with someone when you don't have to deal with the awkwardness or social norms that knowing someone, or looking them in the eye, would bring with a real life conversation? Sort of defeats the purpose of this experiment. Thank you for sharing.

The subjects I would find helpful to discuss would be; what do you want out of a relationship? Political stances? Whether or not you're looking to move from town? Family issues that might keep the relationship from continuing? Things that are important to you that you would want to share/be important to your romantic partner? The things that actually matter as far as a long term relationship going somewhere farther than the front porch.

From,

globalcasebook

#mysteriousindigo

Write Me a Letter || Globaltechnique

Dear Globalcasebook,

What kind of casebook were you imagining when you picked this name? Do you deal with cases often?

@globalcasebook

Dear techniquedeficient,

I wasn't imaging one at all. I just picked the first name that came up. I'll refrain from answering the second question, though, since it might reveal too much of who I am if I am to give away my profession, thank you.

What about you? Are you deficient of a certain technique?

From,

globalcasebook

@techniquedeficient

First things first || indigocasebook

Dear @globalcasebook

Well, I think you’ve opened up a much better conversation than the prompts allowed for: you felt obligated to join in?

I’m wondering if that gives me any clues as to who you are. I feel like it does give me a few, but it wouldn’t be fair to start laying them out so early in the game, would it? Although come to think of it, I’m not sure if I’m trying to play this as a game of Clue or just as a way of getting to know people.

I take it you’re more here for the former, if you’re not here to find yourself a match?

Warm regards

mysteriousindigo

Dear @mysteriousindigo

If you're actually looking for a romantic connection by the end of this I would think that you wouldn't look at it as a game at all. But if you're in it just to pass the time, by all means, Plum and Peacock, on wards and upwards. Though I also think comparing this to a game involving a murder is also in poor taste.

Who said I wasn't here to find a match? All I said was that I felt obligated to participate, not about my intentions. If we're just going to be here to discuss your ideal first date or whether or what your favorite writing utensil is then I think we should cut communication here. It's hardly worth either of our time. It's better to cut to the meat of things while we have no idea who we are rather than gab on about nothing only to get to the end, find out who we are, and then cut it there instead when we realize we don't agree on something that's actually substantial. I could live with someone who thinks a pencil is superior, but not someone who thinks the Earth is flat in earnest.

If you have other thoughts and opinion on this, feel free to share. I'm not saying I'll change my stance, but am interested to know yours. Unless, of course, you decide not to respond given my reply here. In which case, good luck with your game.

From, globalcasebook

#mysteriousindigo

First things first || indigocasebook

Dear globalcasebook,

I have to say, you’ve made yourself sound very mysterious and international already with that email. Good to get people guessing early!

What made you want to sign up for the mail exchange? Personally I do like the mystery of it all. Feels a bit more exciting than tinder or, god forbid, meeting someone out in the real world.

Warm regards,

mysteriousindigo

@globalcasebook