Feb 11 • 04:30 UTC 🇪🇸 Spain El País

What future awaits love?

Experts discuss the challenges that love will face in the near future, including long-distance relationships, fears, and utilitarianism.

The universal feeling of love is influenced by cultures, ideologies, beliefs, and education, and it evolves over time. Experts were consulted on the obstacles that love is expected to confront in the near future, including issues such as long-distance relationships, societal fears, and a growing utilitarian approach to relationships. The classical notion of romantic love, which once distinguished itself from other forms of love such as familial or platonic love, is now being re-evaluated in light of these challenges.

Romantic love, historically viewed as a connection between partners, is facing a shift as it becomes associated with negative connotations such as toxicity, dominance, and dependency. This change reflects a contemporary outlook where romantic love is seen not just as a bond but also as a potential source of inequality and harmful myths, such as the idea of a 'soulmate' or the notion of personal sacrifice for the sake of love, leading to unhealthy dynamics. The influence of artificial intelligence acknowledges this shift by pointing out the idealistic distortions in how love is often portrayed and pursued.

Consequently, as society marches forward, the concept of love may need a significant redefinition. The traditional ideals of finding a 'prince charming' or a perfect partner may be giving way to a more pragmatic understanding of relationships that emphasizes mutual respect and equality, possibly reshaping how future generations engage in romantic partnerships. The conversation on love thus becomes not only about feelings but also about navigating complex social realities and personal well-being.

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