My problem with them is this and YouTube’s aggressive pushing of them in general and in the wrong places, like any device with a horizontal display (like when using a PC/laptop).

In my opinion vertical videos are better viewed on a vertical display (like a phone) and nowhere else, because everywhere else they look worse. Now that I’m thinking more of this though…I should see if any shmup people are showing off via shorts, 'cause that’d be a good fit.

I understand the sentiment, but your conclusion only reinforces Match Group’s position. It overstates some real phenomena and makes people feel resigned to use their miserable services.

Public spaces have been increasingly reduced but there are still community centers, libraries, parks, walking paths, and so on to simply be in.

Those same spaces also tend to hold events for people to go out to that don’t cost anything to attend. At the same time, there are also some private venues that allow others to make use of their space for events and meetings without charging anything, and buying things being a courtesy but not obligatory.

With those offline events, you then have opportunities to meet people besides some bad apps. However even online you have plenty of opportunities to make connections with others outside of matchmaking apps that may lead to more. Neither way is as straightforward, but given the state of dating apps, it’s better than acting like they aren’t real options.

It’s arguably layers of this cover behavior, and mostly as you say because it’s fun. The first layer, closer reading and fan theorizing, is covering why they’re into children’s media or some other media that isn’t seen as fitting them.

The second layer is entwined with the first, the fan theorizing is itself covering what some are too insecure to say or do outright, which is make fan fiction. Some may look down on making fan fiction in similar ways as they feel looked down on for what they’re enjoying, making it somewhat ironic.

In short, don’t let your fan theories remain theories, make fan fiction and your own independent, inspired work!

Certainly striking!

Image edit idea: swap out the word racism for bigotry, and switch “the n-word” to slurs. More fully describes the awful.

The lurking downvoter, more astounding when they don’t appear than when they do. 😂