thoughtcrumbs

Even geeks can get some

Did you ever get an email from one of those "I've got a crush on you" services? You know, where someone entered your address into the site, a message was sent to you, and then you're supposed to go to the site and type in all of the email addresses of guys you're at least lukewarm-ly interested in? If you list the original sender, then voilà, you're hooked up. And a bunch of marketers get a database full of thirteen-year-old girls' email addresses.

Well, a couple of Berkeley grad students improved on the idea and cut out the spammers: every person entering a particular bar gets a handheld and a wand with uniquely colored stripes. See someone you like? Enter his color combo into the device. If he entered your combo, too, you may be snuggling up in a booth by the end of the night. No awkward smalltalk necessary -- as long as you look good. Or at least intriguing. (From this month's Readymade.)