In the modern world, dating and intimacy can be sometimes frustrating. Emotions and flirting can be complicated, so naturally we as a society have turned to social media. Thanks to websites and apps like Tinder, dating has become easier than ever before. Even now though, complications can arise. Often on Tinder the person you matched with will want drastically different things to transpire. What about those of us who don’t want to do something as disgusting and absurd as connecting mouths, yet still want to still feel the intimacy of human connection? That sentiment gave birth to the new app: Cuddlr.
It is known as a Tinder dedicated specifically to cuddling. In its description on the app store, Cuddlr claims to be a “location-based social-meeting app for cuddling.” Finally, what we have waited for. I decided to download this innovative app to discover the opportunities it has to offer. The first surprise that I observed of the app, is that it only has one and a half stars on the App Store. I was baffled at the idea that such an ingenious app could have such a low public opinion. My next move was to go to the reviews section and read others’ experiences. Many claimed that what the app had in creativity, it lacked in numbers. One person gave the app four stars, and they seemed satisfied with their experience, despite everyone’s claims against Cuddlr. The world may not be ready for such an app, but I certainly was.
After swiping past a few pages that explain how to use Cuddlr and reminding users that “Cuddlr is strictly about PG-rated experiences,” and to “keep the cuddle a cuddle,” I was ready to embark on this journey of attempting to cuddle with strangers. Cuddlr easily connects to your Facebook or your Twitter account. Already Cuddlr has one up on Tinder, which only lets you connect to Facebook. I couldn’t wait to connect socially with prospective cuddlers. The app basically has three pages. The Cuddlr main page explains that “Cuddlr springs from the belief that we don’t have enough opportunities for safe, consensual, non-scripted, communicative, fun, silly, serious, spontaneous physical affection carrying no further expectation.” This sentiment is one widely shared across the nation. We as a people have waited too long for someone to take this philosophy and create a functional application of it. The page further explains that a cuddle can be anything: lying together in a park, holding hands while shopping, hugging, or playing with each other’s hair. Not only is the app offering a way to connect with others who want to cuddle, but also new ways to perform cuddling itself. There is no end to the groundbreaking quality of this app.
The next page is your profile, your picture is displayed, so that people can judge you based on your appearance if they would like to cuddle or not. The final page is the discovery page, where you can find your cuddling partner. This was the ultimate disappointment to me. Instead of displaying someone available for a consensual PG physical intimacy, the page displayed a message stating, “There isn’t anyone cuddling near you… yet.” This is depressing for two reasons, firstly because the app became no longer functional at all. The social-meeting app is incomplete without the social aspect. The other reason why this is depressing, is the insight that the app provides about the current state of Logan, Utah. Cuddlr knows that nobody in all of Cache Valley is cuddling, and what a sad thought that is.
Ultimately, the app is pointless, because nobody uses it. I can only hope that in the future, our society can realize the necessity for this iPhone application. We will have to navigate the complicated world of Tinder dating until we finally become ready for the divine gift that is Cuddlr.
