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"Poised between intransigent scepticism and uncritical credulity, it [science fiction] is par excellence the literature of the open mind."
- John Brunner

Monobloc Dating System  
  A kind of pub with unique hardware and software for computer dating.  

In this story, Niven has created another variation on the theme of extended life. Drugs with true anti-geriatric properties are in common use, but cosmetic options are less well developed. It is hard to know someone's true age; the Monobloc dating system provided a local area network version of online dating.

"Am I cramping your style?"

"No problem. Nobody hurries in the Monobloc. If you see someone you like -" My fingers danced over the lighted symbols on the edge of the table. "This gets you a map. Locate where she's sitting, put the cursor on it. That gets you a display...hmm."

I'd set the cursor on the white haired lady. I liked the readout.

Technovelgy from The Best of all Possible Wars, by Larry Niven.
Published by Baen Books in 1998
Additional resources -

In this era, people in their eighties still date actively; the software just gives them a little bit more information to go on before asking someone out on a date.

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Additional resources:
  More Ideas and Technology from The Best of all Possible Wars
  More Ideas and Technology by Larry Niven
  Tech news articles related to The Best of all Possible Wars
  Tech news articles related to works by Larry Niven

Monobloc Dating System-related news articles:
  - Sentilla Smart Drink Coasters Pervasive Pub Computing
  - Mobile Social Networking Near You
  - Citysense Nightlife Indicator
  - Momo App Locates 100M Possible Dates Nearby

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