Indosex - 2013

In 2013, Indonesia's cultural landscape was defined by a sharp collision between modern public health initiatives and conservative religious pushback. The most significant event of that year regarding sexual discourse was National Condom Week 2013, which eventually became known for the "Indosex" or sexual health controversy. The Conflict of National Condom Week 2013

National Condom Week was an annual initiative launched in 2007 by the National AIDS Commission (KPA) to promote HIV/AIDS awareness and safe sex practices. However, the 2013 campaign triggered an unprecedented backlash from conservative groups like the Islamic Defenders Front (FPI).

The Provocation: The campaign featured a "Condom Bus" that traveled through South Jakarta. The primary trigger for the controversy was an advertisement featuring actress Julia Perez in a provocative pose alongside the National Condom Week logo.

The Moral Backlash: Conservative organizations argued that the campaign, particularly the high-profile ads and the distribution of condoms, encouraged "free sex" and promiscuity among Indonesian youth. They viewed the initiative as a violation of Islamic values rather than a public health necessity.

Government Response: Following intense pressure and public protests, the Ministry of Health halted the program in December 2013. While the ministry had approved the event's goals, they distanced themselves from its implementation and the controversial publicity stunts. Broader Societal Context

The Indosex controversy was not an isolated incident but part of a wider trend in 2013 where Indonesia's reputation for pluralism was tested by vocal hardline groups.

Miss World 2013: Similar protests erupted against the Miss World beauty pageant held in Jakarta and Bali. Hardliners labeled the event "smut and pornography," ultimately forcing the contest to move entirely to Bali and requiring contestants to swap bikinis for traditional sarongs.

Valentine's Day Protests: The Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) issued edicts against Valentine's Day celebrations, claiming they promoted casual sex. This led to counter-movements like "Cover Aurat Day," which encouraged women to wear headscarves to fight "moral problems".

Vigilantism: Groups like the FPI frequently conducted "sweeps" or raids on places they deemed immoral, such as bars and brothels, often acting outside the law to enforce their version of morality. Impact on Public Health

The cancellation of these programs highlighted the difficulty of conducting sexual health education in a conservative environment. While the KPA insisted that the campaign was a vital tool for disease prevention, the "moral guardian" narrative used by religious groups often overshadowed the scientific and medical objectives.

The events of 2013 underscored a deep-seated tension in Indonesia: the struggle to balance effective public health policy with a rapidly growing and influential conservative movement that views Westernized modes of education as a threat to national and religious identity.

Here’s a social media post (optimized for platforms like Twitter, Instagram, or Tumblr) reflecting on the unique vibe of 2013 relationships and romantic storylines:


📱 POST TITLE: That 2013 kind of love

🖼️ Caption / Text:

There was something about 2013 relationships and romantic storylines that just hit different. It was the golden era of:

🎧 Making each other custom Spotify playlists with “Ho Hey” by The Lumineers, “Mirrors” by Justin Timberlake, and “Say Something” by A Great Big World.

📱 Talking until 3 AM on iMessage or BBM, with grainy iPhone 4 front-camera selfies and “u up?” texts that actually meant something.

💌 Epic, slow-burn TV love stories: Nick & Jess (New Girl), Jake & Amy (Brooklyn Nine-Nine – started 2013!), Clarke & Lexa (The 100), Fitz & Simmons (Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.), and Emma & Hook (Once Upon a Time).

🎬 Movie couples who defined angst and longing: The Spectacular Now (Sutter & Aimee), The Fault in Our Stars (Hazel & Gus – book was huge, movie coming), About Time (Tim & Mary), and Her (Theodore & Samantha – unconventional but unforgettable).

📸 Relationships lived in grainy Instagram filters (Valencia, anyone?), cheesy couple hashtags, and “relationship goals” posts that were just two people holding hands in a coffee shop.

2013 romance wasn’t perfect. It was messy, hopeful, acoustic-guitar-in-the-background, "I'll wait for you in the rain" energy. It was before dating apps took over. It was handwritten notes slipped into lockers, awkward Facebook official changes, and mixtapes burned onto CDs because not everyone had aux cords yet.

If you were crushing on someone in 2013… you know exactly what I mean.

👇 Tell me: What’s your favorite 2013 romantic storyline (TV, movie, or personal)?


🏷️ Hashtags:
#2013core #2013romance #throwback #millennialnostalgia #romanticstorylines #NickandJess #AboutTime #TheSpectacularNow #oldinternetlove

The humidity in Jakarta that January felt heavier than usual, like a wet blanket draped over the city’s concrete skyline. In a small, dimly lit office in South Jakarta, Satria adjusted the tie he rarely wore. On his desk sat a stack of brochures with a glossy logo that had become the most dangerous image in the city: Indo-Sex 2013.

Satria wasn't a rebel or a provocateur. He was a marketing coordinator for a tech-logistics firm that had been hired to manage the "educational" wing of the expo. To the organizers, it was a trade show about sexual health, wellness, and the burgeoning adult-tech industry. To the rest of the country, it was a "moral emergency." The Rising Storm

"The permits are being reviewed again," his boss, Pak Dimas, said while pacing the floor. He didn't look at Satria; he was watching the news. On the screen, a sea of protesters gathered outside the hotel where the event was supposed to be held.

Satria looked at the brochures. They featured diagrams of new medical devices and advertisements for "digital intimacy" platforms. In 2013, the internet in Indonesia was exploding. Everyone had a smartphone, and the digital world was moving much faster than the physical laws of the land. The expo was an attempt to bring that underground digital world into the light. The Digital Underground

As the sun set, the news broke: the city council had officially revoked the permit. The physical expo was dead before it even opened its doors.

Satria felt a strange mix of relief and disappointment. He walked out into the cool evening air, the sound of the city’s motorbikes humming like a hive of bees. He pulled out his phone—a BlackBerry, the king of Indonesian communication at the time. His screen was flooded with notifications.

The physical booths were gone, but the "Indo-Sex" community hadn't vanished. In the private chat groups and forums, thousands of people were sharing the very information the expo had intended to showcase. Links to health blogs, discussions on digital rights, and the latest tech were spreading like wildfire through the city’s fiber-optic veins. The Legacy

Sitting at a street-side warung with a cup of hot ginger tea, Satria realized that the cancellation didn't stop the conversation; it just moved it. The "Indo-Sex 2013" event became a ghost—a story of an event that never happened, yet managed to define the beginning of a new era of digital debate in Indonesia.

The brochures in his office would eventually be shredded, but the invisible network they represented was just beginning to grow. 🏛️ Historical Context of Indosex 2013

The Event: A planned "Adult Industry Trade Fair" in Jakarta.

The Controversy: Opposed by various religious groups and conservative politicians who cited "pornography laws."

The Outcome: The Indonesian National Police and local government refused to issue permits, effectively banning the event.

The Impact: It remains a key example in Indonesian history regarding the tension between modern trade and traditional cultural values. 🔍 Related Topics Indosex 2013

Digital Transformation: How Indonesia's rapid internet growth changed social norms.

UU ITE: The Electronic Information and Transactions Law that governs digital content in Indonesia.

Public Health: The shift toward digital platforms for sexual health education following physical event bans.

The year 2013 was a fascinating cultural intersection. It was the era of "twee" fashion, the peak of the Tumblr "soft grunge" aesthetic, and the year the world collectively obsessed over whether a fictional relationship was "endgame." From the silver screen to the burgeoning world of streaming, 2013 redefined how we consumed romance.

Here is a deep dive into the relationships and romantic storylines that defined 2013. 1. The Big Screen: Unconventional Love

In cinema, 2013 moved away from the cookie-cutter rom-coms of the 2000s, favoring stories that were more atmospheric, bittersweet, or even high-concept.

"Her": Love in the Digital AgeSpike Jonze’s Her was perhaps the most prophetic film of the year. The romance between Theodore (Joaquin Phoenix) and his AI operating system, Samantha (voiced by Scarlett Johansson), challenged the audience's definition of intimacy. It remains a cornerstone for discussions on loneliness and technology.

"Before Midnight": The Reality of Long-Term LoveThe final installment of Richard Linklater’s trilogy caught up with Jesse and Céline years into their marriage. Gone were the idealistic strolls through Vienna; in their place were raw, grueling arguments that painted a realistic portrait of what it takes to stay together.

"About Time": Romance Through a Sci-Fi LensWhile it featured time travel, About Time was grounded in the simple, charming chemistry between Domhnall Gleeson and Rachel McAdams. It pivoted the romantic storyline from "finding the one" to "cherishing the everyday." 2. Television: The Golden Age of Ship Wars

Television in 2013 was dominated by "shipping" culture. Social media platforms like Twitter and Tumblr allowed fans to dissect every glance and touch between their favorite characters in real-time.

The Vampire Diaries: Delena vs. Stelena2013 was a pivotal year for the Elena-Stefan-Damon love triangle. Season 4 concluded with Elena finally choosing Damon, a moment that sent the internet into a frenzy and solidified "Delena" as one of the most powerful fandom forces of the decade.

The Mindy Project: The Slow BurnMindy Lahiri and Danny Castellano began their iconic "enemies-to-lovers" trajectory. Their chemistry provided a refreshing, snappy take on the classic workplace romance, proving that the rom-com genre was thriving on the small screen.

Scandal: Olitz and High-Stakes RomanceOlivia Pope and President Fitz Grant’s "white hat" romance redefined political dramas. Their fraught, often toxic, but undeniable connection made Scandal a weekly "must-watch" for romantic tension alone. 3. Pop Culture: The Real-Life Power Couples

Beyond fiction, real-life relationships in 2013 influenced fashion, music, and the very concept of "Relationship Goals."

Kimye’s Rise: 2013 was the year Kim Kardashian and Kanye West welcomed their first child, North, and got engaged at AT&T Park. Their relationship merged the worlds of high fashion and reality TV, creating a new blueprint for celebrity branding.

The "Wrecking Ball" Era: Miley Cyrus and Liam Hemsworth ended their engagement in 2013. The breakup fueled Miley's radical image shift and inspired one of the biggest heartbreak anthems of the year, showing the darker, public side of young love.

Royal Fever: Prince William and Kate Middleton welcomed Prince George. Their "fairytale" storyline provided a sense of traditional romantic stability amidst a year of high-profile celebrity breakups. 4. The Shift in Dating Culture

Technologically, 2013 was the "Year of the App." Tinder, which launched in late 2012, began its massive global expansion in 2013. This changed the "romantic storyline" of real people from chance encounters to "swiping." The terminology of dating began to shift, as "ghosting" and "sliding into DMs" started to enter the mainstream vernacular.

2013 was a year that embraced the complexity of love. Whether it was through the lens of a futuristic AI, a messy political affair, or a royal wedding, the romantic storylines of the year moved toward authenticity and digital integration. It was the year we realized that romance wasn't just about the "happily ever after"—it was about the "what happens next."

Indosex 2013 typically refers to the cultural and social climate surrounding sexual health, education, and rights in Indonesia during that year. In 2013, Indonesia experienced a significant tension between a growing "sexual education revolution" and deeply rooted conservative social norms. The Sexual Education Revolution

Advocates in 2013 pushed for sex education to become a mandatory part of the national curriculum to combat a lack of knowledge they believed was harming Indonesian youth. Yogyakarta as a Hub

: The university town of Yogyakarta was a leader in this movement, with organizations like Planned Parenthood providing sex education services since 2008. Advocacy Goals : Groups like

worked to shift the "conservative point of view" that viewed sex as inherently bad, aiming to provide youth with reproductive rights and health information. Conservative Pushback & Controversies

The push for reform faced strong opposition from religious and educational leaders who prioritized traditional "limitations" and abstinence. Virginity Testing

: A major controversy erupted in August 2013 when an education official on Sumatra Island proposed mandatory virginity tests

for female high school students, a move widely condemned by the public and the education minister as unethical and a form of child abuse. Religious Stance : Leaders like Ma'ruf Amin, then chairman of the Indonesian Council of Ulema

, argued that students did not need to be taught about sexuality, but rather about "limitations" to prevent premarital sex. Legislative & Social Context

The year was also marked by legislative debates that sought to restrict the public display of reproductive health tools. Criminal Code Bill : Proposals in the Criminal Code Bill (Article 414)

aimed to fine those who openly displayed or offered contraception tools to children, reflecting a societal divide over the visibility of birth control in a climate of rising HIV/AIDS and abortion concerns. Gender Norms

: Research from this period highlights a prevailing patriarchal hegemony where women were often viewed through traditional roles of service and obedience.

Indonesia's Sexual Education Revolution - The New York Times


Conclusion: A Year in Between

Looking back, 2013’s relationships and romantic storylines feel like a bridge. They held one foot in the old world—fairy-tale weddings, epic movie kisses, heartbreak songs on the radio—and one foot in the new: AI love, dystopian allegiances, and the cold efficiency of the swipe. It was the year we learned that love could be performed for cameras (like Katniss and Peeta) or exist entirely in a voice (like Theodore and Samantha). It was the year a real prince became a father, and a fictional operating system broke a man’s heart.

2013 didn’t give us easy answers about romance. Instead, it asked harder questions: Can love survive surveillance? Can it exist without a body? Can it be both a fairy tale and a negotiation? The stories of that year linger because they refused to pretend love was simple. And maybe that’s the most honest romantic storyline of all.

The year 2013 was a pivotal moment for romantic narratives, marked by a shift from traditional "happily-ever-after" tropes toward more complex, technologically-mediated, and emotionally realistic portrayals of human connection. The Digital Frontier: Romanticizing the Inhuman

One of the most profound shifts in 2013 was the exploration of digital intimacy. Her (2013)

: Spike Jonze's film reimagined romance by depicting a man, Theodore, falling in love with an advanced Operating System, Samantha. This narrative challenged traditional views on physical presence, suggesting that intimacy can be found in a "post-cinema" digital interface. Humanity vs. Perfection In 2013, Indonesia's cultural landscape was defined by

: Critical scenes, such as Theodore's divorce from his human wife, Catherine, highlight the "jolt of reality" that imperfect human relationships provide compared to the curated, albeit evolving, nature of AI love. The Psychology of "Romantic Ideals"

Research published in 2013 significantly influenced how we understand the "cultivation" of relationship expectations through media. The Soul Mate Myth : A key study by Hefner and Wilson (2013)

examined how romantic comedies reinforce "romantic ideals," such as "love at first sight" and the concept of a "soul mate". Expectation vs. Reality

: Frequent viewing of these films was found to correlate with higher expectations for intimacy and the belief that "love conquers all," though it did not necessarily lead to more toxic beliefs like "mindreading" or "disagreement disallowance". Narrative Construction and "Normalcy"

Beyond the screen, 2013 saw advancements in how individuals narrate their own love lives. Relationship Stories : Emerging research into the narrative construction of intimacy

suggested that the way couples tell stories about their relationship—specifically how they construct positive endings—is a robust predictor of whether they will stay together. Life Scripts

: The concept of the "love life script" gained traction, exploring how cultural expectations (e.g., meeting, marrying, having children) dictate what people perceive as a "normal" relationship. Demographics of 2013 Romantic Life

Data from the time period provided a snapshot of relationship status among young adults: Commitment Trends

: Longitudinal data available in 2013 indicated that only about 33% of young adults

aged 20–25 were in a committed relationship (married or cohabiting), with the rest either dating (27%) or not involved in romance at all. Emerging Adulthood

: The age at which people began their first committed relationships was noted to vary substantially, marking a shift away from uniform relationship timelines. modern dating apps

have further disrupted these 2013 "life scripts," or perhaps dive deeper into a content analysis of other 2013 films?

Movie Analysis: “Her” | by Scott Myers - Go Into The Story 20 Jan 2014 —

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The keyword "Indosex 2013" often refers to the intersection of sexuality, social dynamics, and media in Indonesia during that specific year. 2013 was a pivotal time for Indonesian civil society, marked by shifting legal landscapes for marginalized groups, the rise of digital activism, and a broader national conversation about sexual health and identity. 1. The Socio-Legal Climate of 2013

In 2013, Indonesia's social landscape underwent significant tension between conservative legislation and grassroots advocacy.

The NGO Law (Law on Mass Organizations): Enacted on July 2, 2013, this law placed strict regulations on nongovernmental organizations. Critics, including Human Rights Watch, argued it echoed the repressive Suharto era by giving the government wide latitude to obstruct the work of organizations, including those advocating for sexual health and minority rights.

Pancasila Socialization: In August 2013, programs were launched to educate the public and foreigners on Pancasila, Indonesia's founding ideology, as a tool to navigate the country's diverse and often syncretic religious and social makeup. 2. Emerging Research on Sexuality

Academic and social research in 2013 began to focus more intensely on how Indonesian society viewed sexuality and gender.

Adolescent Perspectives: Studies highlighted a significant gap in sexuality education for youth. Research showed that while many Indonesian adolescents sought scientific information about pubertal changes and reproductive health, they often faced stigma or a lack of reliable sources.

Intersex and Minority Rights: 2013 sat within a period of growing awareness for the intersex community. Later reports from groups like Intersex Asia trace the historical struggle of these individuals navigating a legal system that often lacked protections and restricted them to binary gender categories. 3. Media and Representation

The year 2013 was also defined by how sexuality and culture were portrayed in media and entertainment across the region.

Indie Cinema Surge: While not exclusive to Indonesia, the broader Southeast Asian and Indian indie film scenes in 2013 began tackling "taboo" subjects with more frequency. Films like The Lunchbox and Shahid found mainstream success, proving there was an audience for realistic portrayals of personal identity.

Digital Transformation: The proliferation of smartphones and social media in Indonesia during 2013 began to "shrink" the world, allowing for a more rapid exchange of information regarding global social movements and sexual health advocacy. 4. Public Health and Awareness

The "Indosex" context often overlaps with initiatives aimed at improving sexual health literacy. Indonesia: Amend Law on Mass Organizations

"Indosex 2013" refers to the Indonesia Sexual Health and Education Expo

, a significant event held in Jakarta, Indonesia, from August 30 to September 1, 2013.

The event was designed as a comprehensive platform to address sexual health, education, and lifestyle. It aimed to break social taboos by providing a professional and educational environment for adults to discuss reproductive health and wellness. Key Components Educational Seminars

: The expo featured talk shows and seminars led by medical professionals and psychologists. Topics included reproductive health, HIV/AIDS awareness, and family planning. Exhibition Stalls

: Various booths showcased products and services related to sexual wellness, including contraceptives, herbal supplements, and adult lifestyle products. Consultation Zones

: Private areas were often provided for attendees to seek advice from health experts regarding intimate health issues. Target Audience

: While the event was strictly for adults (18+), it targeted a wide demographic, including married couples, health practitioners, and individuals interested in sexual education. Purpose and Impact The primary goal of Indosex 2013 was to promote sexual literacy

in Indonesia. By combining a commercial exhibition with medical expertise, the organizers sought to reduce the stigma surrounding sexual health and encourage responsible behavior and regular medical check-ups. 📱 POST TITLE: That 2013 kind of love

2013 research and media highlights focused heavily on how couples use storytelling to define their bonds and the shifting dynamics of digital vs. traditional communication in romance. Narrative and Psychological Research (2013)

The Power of Love Stories: A 2013 study explored how couples co-construct "love stories" through shared narratives. It found that the way a couple tells their story—focusing on intimacy and shared meaning—is a strong predictor of relationship quality and mental health.

Deception in Romance: Research published in Communication Studies (2013) examined the complex role of lying. While honesty is a goal, partners often use "sweet little lies" for relationship maintenance or to avoid conflict.

Satisfaction and Well-being: Data from 2013 reinforced that romantic satisfaction is a greater predictor of overall life happiness than success in friendships or work.

Relationship Timing: Studies identified that the age at which individuals enter their first committed relationship began to vary more significantly around this time, requiring researchers to differentiate between biological age and "relationship duration" as metrics for success. Romantic Storylines in Media (2013) Film: About Time

: This 2013 romantic drama-comedy explored the importance of living each day fully within a relationship and the impact of time on romantic bonds. Documentary: Cutie and the Boxer

: Released in 2013, this film provided a raw look at the 40-year marriage of artists Ushio and Noriko Shinohara, depicting love as a "battlefield" where art and domestic life constantly clash.

Eroticism in Long-term Bonds: In a widely viewed 2013 talk, therapist Esther Perel challenged the idea that intimacy guarantees good sex, discussing the inherent tension between love (the need for security) and desire (the need for mystery). Emerging Trends: Digital Romance

Traditional vs. Digital: By 2013, the widespread adoption of social media and mobile phones began to change how couples met and maintained relationships. However, researchers noted that these "digital" behaviors often mirrored old "traditional" patterns (like letter writing), just through new platforms.

Development of relationship satisfaction across the life span

This guide is designed for writers, screenwriters, or DMs looking to capture the specific zeitgeist of dating and romance during that year.


Why Indosex 2013 Matters Today

While Indosex never reached the scale of later events like Tech in Asia’s conferences or Startup Asia, 2013 was a critical formative year:

Television: The Golden Age of the “Ship”

If you were a TV fan in 2013, you did not sleep. You were on Tumblr at 2 AM, arguing about subtext. This year was the peak of "shipping culture," where the romantic trajectory of characters became more important than plot or villains.

The Wedding of the Decade (Jim & Pam, The Office) Though The Office ended in May 2013, the final season resolved the "Jim and Pam tension" that had defined a decade. By 2013, they were the gold standard of the "realistic workplace relationship." Their struggles with marriage counseling and work-life balance were the antithesis of the fairy tale, yet their final scene together remains the most re-watched romantic clip on YouTube from that era.

The Tragedy of "Red Wedding" (Game of Thrones) No discussion of 2013 relationships and romantic storylines is complete without the bloodbath of June 2, 2013. The "Red Wedding" episode, "The Rains of Castamere," brutally murdered the romantic storyline of Robb Stark and Talisa. This was not a breakup; it was a massacre. It taught a generation of viewers that in modern storytelling, love does not conquer all—often, it gets you stabbed at a banquet. It was the most traumatic romantic event of the year, coining the phrase "Don't trust a happy couple in 2013."

The Slow Burn (Nick & Jess, New Girl) In stark contrast, 2013 gave us the "will they/won't they" payoff of Nick Miller and Jess Day (New Girl). Their season 2 kiss in "Cooler" (airing January 2013) was a watershed moment. It represented the "manic pixie nightmare vs. grumpy realist" dynamic that dominated 2013 relationship humor. They were the blueprint for the "roommates to lovers" trope that would explode later in the decade.

3. Communication Tech in 2013

Dialogue in a 2013 romance needs to feel specific to the hardware of the time.

Legacy

Indosex 2013 is now a nostalgic footnote—remembered fondly by those who were there as a raw, ambitious, and slightly awkward gathering of dreamers. It captured a moment when Indonesia’s digital economy was still a promise, not yet a powerhouse.

In short: Indosex 2013 = A small but significant tech & startup conference in Jakarta that reflected Indonesia’s emerging internet optimism, held just before the country’s digital explosion.


Would you like a comparison with other Southeast Asian tech events from the same era (e.g., Bangkok’s “Startup Thailand” or Manila’s “PH Startups”)?

Here are some notable relationships and romantic storylines from 2013:

In real life, 2013 was a significant year for celebrity relationships:

These storylines represent a mix of television and real-life relationships that made headlines in 2013.

2013: A Year of Tumultuous Love and Self-Discovery

The year 2013 was a pivotal one for relationships and romantic storylines in popular culture. It was a year that saw the rise of new love interests, the demise of long-standing relationships, and a deeper exploration of what it means to love and be loved in return.

The Golden Age of Television Romance

Television was abuzz with complex, engaging romantic storylines in 2013. Shows like Breaking Bad, The Walking Dead, and New Girl captivated audiences with their intricate character dynamics and swoon-worthy romances.

The Meteoric Rise of The Bachelor Franchise

2013 was a banner year for The Bachelor and The Bachelorette franchises. The shows continued to captivate audiences with their over-the-top dates, catty conflicts, and, of course, romance.

The Music Industry's Most High-Profile Romances

The music industry was abuzz with high-profile romances in 2013.

The Evolution of Online Dating

The rise of dating apps and websites continued to change the way people meet and interact with potential romantic partners. In 2013, apps like Tinder and OkCupid became increasingly popular, allowing users to connect with others based on shared interests and geographical proximity.

The Year in Review

In conclusion, 2013 was a complex and tumultuous year for relationships and romantic storylines. From the small screens of television to the giant stages of music, love and heartbreak reigned supreme. As we look back on the past year, it's clear that 2013 was a pivotal moment in the evolution of romance and relationships – and we can't wait to see what the future holds.


VI. The Digital Shift: Dating Enters the Swipe Era

2013 was the last full year before Tinder’s “swipe right” became a verb. Tinder had launched in 2012, but in 2013 it exploded on college campuses. Suddenly, romance was gamified. The meet-cute died; the algorithm was born. Bloggers and columnists spent 2013 debating whether this was liberation or apocalypse. Meanwhile, OkCupid and Match.com normalized online dating as just… dating. By December 2013, one in ten Americans had used a dating site or app. The romantic storyline was no longer how you met but how you swiped.