| We can learn a great deal from History. The | | | | would have been well crafted. Most likely, he |
| details in old stories awake our curiosity. Knowing | | | | would not have mentioned many details about |
| what has happened in the past gives us | | | | himself. Instead, he would have written what |
| perspective. Trying to figure out explanations | | | | potential romantic partners want to hear. His |
| renders us thoughtful; comparing sources, | | | | internet chatting would have consisted of witty |
| insightful. Theories unconfirmed by facts prompt a | | | | and flattering remarks. Empty words are as |
| man to stop, not to move. Doubts make us | | | | effective with the foolish today as they were |
| reflect and yearn for proof. | | | | two centuries ago. |
| Giacomo Casanova's autobiography is an | | | | We can also be sure that, in his internet dating, |
| outstanding literary achievement that has elevated | | | | Casanova would have remained a relentless liar |
| its author to the prototype of perfect seducer. | | | | driven by short-term benefits. In the 18th |
| Few novels or essays have equalled his vivid | | | | century, he was a manipulator bent on immediate |
| depiction of the best and worst in human nature. | | | | action. His tactics consisted of assailing preys with |
| His portrayal of vanity and foolishness has | | | | flowers and jewellery until the battle was won. |
| remained fresh through the centuries, providing | | | | Would he have found contemporary romantic |
| evidence of how little the world has changed. | | | | films too slow? Possibly. The real Casanova was |
| Does Casanova's romantic advice still apply in the | | | | as fast in charging as he was in retreating. His |
| age of instant messaging and on-line dating? Are | | | | objective was to win and deplete the confidence |
| there practical lessons that we can draw from his | | | | of his victims. His effectiveness was measured in |
| experience? Would Casanova (1725-1798) have | | | | days. His purpose would not accept any delays. |
| proven an effective seducer also in the era of | | | | Even in the worst of times, few men possess |
| mobile phones and blogs? | | | | Casanova's callousness. |
| My answer might surprise you, but I am | | | | Finally, we can also assume that Casanova's |
| convinced that on-line dating would have not | | | | house of cards would have inevitably collapsed in |
| modified Casanova's results. His story would have | | | | a contemporary context. Romantic attraction |
| been repeated, sequence by sequence, only | | | | without substance can never be sustained for |
| faster. He would have become extremely | | | | long. If we trust literature and History, human |
| successful in the short term, but eventually, as it | | | | nature has not fundamentally changed in this |
| did happen, he would have ended up in loneliness | | | | respect. |
| and financial ruin. | | | | Extreme short-term orientation involves high |
| Despite the fact that Casanova was not | | | | psychological costs and deprives man of the |
| particularly handsome, we can be sure that, if he | | | | possibility of attaining real affection. Being focused |
| lived today, he would have placed a fantastic | | | | only on immediate benefits starves the spirit and |
| photo on his internet dating profile. Through clever | | | | destroys the soul. |
| grooming, lighting, and composition, he would have | | | | Looking for a life's partner is an exercise in |
| managed to portray himself as irresistible. | | | | self-knowledge which needs just the time it takes. |
| Most people who date on-line don't take the | | | | Remain true to your rational nature and learn |
| trouble to do that, since they prefer to be | | | | from Casanova's mistakes. Discard a short-term |
| themselves. They opt for looking as they usually | | | | approach to human relationships. It generates |
| do even if that makes them less popular. | | | | disproportionate costs and inevitably results in |
| The text of Casanova's internet dating profile | | | | failure. |