If you can't beat 'em, berate 'em in caps lock

I got an email from a guy this morning, Jay on OkCupid.  His email was pretty normal, aside from it being poorly written.  (He seems impressed that I like going to the cottage, but when I say 'cottage' I'm actually referring to a fully equipped house that happens to be near the lake.  Not exactly roughing it.)  Nope, the strange thing is this guy's profile.

You've heard me say a million times that online dating is superficial.  It's common knowledge.  It's the reason everyone uploads a really flattering photo of themselves.  You don't want to be seen as you normally look, you want to be seen from your most flattering angle -- for me, that would be slightly above and to my left...in dim lighting. 

So I click through to Jay's profile and the first thing that struck me is how really unfortunate this guy looks.  Like really, really unattractive.  Some guys are so ugly they're cute though, like pug dogs and baby echidnas.  This guy wasn't so lucky.

My heart always goes out to unattractive people trying to find love online.  I know how defeating it can feel to always send out messages and not get any responses.  I'm no supermodel, so I try to sell myself on my personality.  I think this is what most people do, when faced with the superficiality of online dating.  Those of us with average looks maybe write a little more carefully, or try a little harder to be witty. 

What people DON'T normally do is call out the system for what it is.  Or if they do, they do it as a lighthearted joke.  What Jay chose to do was begin his profile with an angry rant.  Here's a direct quote:

WHY DOES EVERBODY JUDGE A BOOK BY IT'S COVER.  

DON'T ANYONE BELIEVE IN INNER BEAUTY?!?!?!?!?!

(I didn't fix his spelling or grammar.  I left that in for flavour.)

Here's the thing.  This guy isn't playing the game.  He's not putting his best foot forward or trying to win me with his personality.  He's trying to guilt me into emailing him.  If I don't email him, basically I'm a huge, superficial jerk.  I'm not saying he's wrong to be angry at the superficiality of online dating, but it's kind of like that saying:  Don't hate the player, hate the game.