- 22 September, 2005 -

Back in the day, a formal introduction was a necessary prerequisite for romantic involvement. Take the classic Jane Austen novel. Before a man even entered the drawing room of a woman's home, she was well informed of his social standing, economic status, and professional occupation. Well, times have changed for better and for worse. Though we no longer need or want men to "provide" these markers of success, we often know very little about the people we choose as companions. These days you're lucky to get a guy's last name over the noise in a crowded bar. Alas, technology has provided an answer. We may not have a drawing room, or Mr. Darcy, but we do have access to the 21st century remix of the formal introduction: www.google.com. Google is the new McDonald's. It's everywhere, and consumed by everyone. According to The Wall Street Journal, Google "hosts more than half of all Web-based searches." If that's not enough, the company has expanded into the realm of e-mail (if you don't have Gmail you need to reassess your life), and even instant messaging. Why not use Google to find out more about the people we think we know? Just last spring, a man named Kenneth Foster posed as a student at the University of Southern California. He attended classes and track practice for weeks before he was discovered. USC sophomore Courtney Willis credits a friend of hers for discovering Foster's true identity after typing his name into Google. Now there's nothing wrong with not being a college student or not going to a certain school. The issue here is dishonesty. If a guy tells you he is a Wharton MBA student but Google reveals that he's a freshman at Drexel, something's not right. These are the types of things we can easily discern with a little bit of Googling. At the same time, it's important to recognize that Googling is not a foolproof method of research. Not all information obtained through an Internet search is relevant. When I typed my own name into the Web site, I found a document I'd hoped never to see again. My high school presidential platform from 2001, along with a rather embarrassing picture, was suddenly before my eyes. I cringed as I read what I then thought was a good speech. The closing line was the highlight of it all: "I want to be your ambassador, your leader, your equal, but most of all, your friend." Needless to say I didn't win that election. Additionally, certain names are so common that the information obtained cannot always be trusted. If you're Googling someone with a name like Bob Smith, you might have a rough time finding reliable information. Not to mention the fact that a successful Google screening does not mean a person is devoid of questionable issues. It is simply a precaution among the many we should take when it comes to expanding our social circles. In this day and age, one can never be too careful. It's time the practice of Googling comes out of the shadows and into the realm of normal and expected behavior. It's not even just about averting crisis. There's a lot of valuable information available that can enrich the quality of any courtship. We read and study to prepare for class discussions right? Googling is no different. I look forward to a day where the following conversation can occur without incident. (Becky and David's first date) "So Becky...what's your major?" "I'm studying finance ... but sometimes I wish I could have taken more history classes." "That's funny, I'm a history major." "Oh I know ... I Googled you." In the present state of things, David would probably be annoyed, freaked out or terrified by Becky's forthright admission. There is no reason for this sort of reaction. If one has nothing to hide, getting Googled should be considered an honor. If you decide to jump on the Google train, you won't be alone. In a recent survey taken by Internet dating service It's Just Lunch, 43 percent of singles admitted to googling someone before a first date. So by all means, go ahead. It's not stalking, it's just smart. Just be sure to get your subject's last name. Happy Googling!

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