“Do you realize that just ten years ago, people didn’t have any idea what other people were feeling?” Emily said twenty minutes into the blind date. They sat across from each other at a round table in a small coffee shop tucked away in a quiet corner of the city. Local artwork adorned the walls, giving the shop a unique, eclectic feel.

 

“Of course they did.” John argued. It was a sudden departure from their conversation about favorite places to visit in the summer.

 

“No, I mean, they didn’t have BioNotes!” she explained as she watched him through her AR glasses. “They had to watch each other’s faces and just guess what they were thinking and feeling.”

 

“That doesn’t seem that bad.” John had always been more of an old-ways-are-better kind of guy. He liked to take women to an old 2D movie for a second date for the nostalgia.

 

“Are you kidding?” she said.

 

“No, I mean, maybe some privacy would be nice.” John hated the thought of all his likes and dislikes being monitored, tracked, and potentially exploited. He would still pay for things with cash if it were possible but crypto killed that option years ago.

 

“And what about all the mass shootings that used to happen?” she asked.

 

“Well, yeah, that wasn’t great.”

 

“And ever since we have started monitoring everyone’s biometrics, there has not been a single one.”

 

“There is still murder,” John offered. He already knew he was not going to win this debate. He didn’t know many people who saw the world the way he did. He mostly only used his AR glasses for driving and restaurant menus. The rest of the time, he left them in full reality mode.

 

“Yes, but only because the police couldn’t get there in time to stop it. Usually somewhere rural. Hardly ever in the city,” Emily countered.

 

“Fair.” John did the best to ignore the young waitress as she moved about the tables clearing empty mugs and chatting with other customers. Her bubbly energy and genuine smile was infectious.

 

“And rape? That used to be a thing women had to worry about just walking around.”

 

“People still went out, though.”

 

“Yes, but it doesn’t mean it was safe.” She put down her coffee so she could gesture more freely with both hands. “Now the police know exactly how aggressive, aroused, and violent every man is. And if those feelings are directed at me. So much safer.”

 

“But what about privacy?”

 

“Screw that, I will take public safety, anytime… But do you want to know a secret?” Emily leaned in.

 

“Tell me.”

 

“I hacked the system," she whispered. I can see the same reports the police get about the people around me,"

 

“What?!?” John was taken aback.

 

“Don’t worry, I don’t think you are a total creep. I’m not so sure about the man in the corner booth.” She nodded toward the corner of the coffee shop.

 

“That seems like an invasion.”

 

“Not at all, it is just a more precise understanding of relationships without the wasted energy and time.”

 

“Okay, but doesn’t that kill romance?”

 

“I don’t think so. I know that you only are 34% aroused by me, and that has gone up slightly since I talked about rape… which is a little creepy. But I also know that you were over 60% aroused by our waitress so I won’t waste any time exploring us as a couple. And that leaves me more time to find a more suitable romantic partner and you can go chase after the waitress if you like.”

 

“But…”

 

“I’m sorry, now you are embarrassed. Don’t be. This just saved us a whole lot of pretending.” She picked up her purse and took a final sip of coffee.

 

“No. I, um…” John had no idea what to say. She wasn’t wrong about the waitress.

 

“If it makes you feel better, I think the waitress is into you too.” Emily waved her Paychip near the table sensor to cover both their meals and stood to go. “It was fun chatting with you. Good luck with the waitress.”

 

John watched her walk out the front door and get into a cab that her AI assistant ordered for her the moment it detected her lack of interest in him. He sighed and looked around for the waitress. She was smiling at him.