We were incredibly lucky to have Catherine Sanderson join us for a discussion after the showing. A quick summary: Students in the audience expressed frustration with the lack of middle ground between hookups and relationships. They cited the school’s size as a road block to establishing a dating culture. The conventional wisdom seemed to be that at a large school you can ask someone out on a date and never see them again. Here, you’ll see them over and over again and relive the sting of rejection or embarrassment. Audience members argued going out on a date will immediately be perceived as a step towards a serious relationship. If that’s not what you want can you casually date here? The answer from several corners of the room was an absolute yes, if you’re willing to be open and honest about what you’re looking for.

So communication proved a sticking point. Communication and time. No one has enough time to be in a relationship. But as Catherine Sanderson pointed out, how many people do have the time to obsess and worry over going out on the weekend, dissecting a hookup, and avoiding awkwardness with that person they hooked up with or didn’t? Hooking up takes time, and unproductive, often negative time.

We’re very curious to hear community reactions to the film. Did it ring true to your experience with Amherst hookup/relationship culture? Was there something missing? Please comment and let us know. If you didn’t get a chance to come on April 17th please come to the second showing May 2nd at 8:00 in Stirn Auditorium.