I happened to find myself on a website called TechNews Daily, which concerns itself mostly with gagetry, security/miliary hardware and other electronics along the same line. But even a hard core techie must step back once a year and consider romance . . . and apparently that time of year is Valentine’s Day.

I came across an article written two years ago on February 12 (“gearing” up for the big day) entitled “Do Technology and Romance Mix?” Interesting question, although not one that has bothered me much, probably because technology is mostly absent from my life.

But according to the article, it may not mix well for text-ers. An assistant professor in a Department of Psychology at a place I will mercifully not mention for fear you may have to have an operation at this place someday, feels that texting takes the mystery out of a burgeoning romance. If you are always available, then the other party will assume a high level of interest on your part and act accordingly . . . which is to say, take you for granted. I suspect that this will be lost on most of your nerdie types.

Our professor also says that while Facebook “may widen the dating pool,” it changes the rules of game since instead of getting to know someone through conversation, we make decisions based on how people look on a computer screen. (There is an ad next this for boosting your “natural testosterone” with a picture of a super hunky guy. No electronics in sight.) I’ve got news for our assistant professor: In those ancient times before Facebook and texting, people made decision based on looks. Maybe it was across a room or a bar as opposed to a Facebook profile and picture, but still . . . human nature doesn’t change, it adapts.

Our friends at Chemistry.com also weighed in on this questions. They think that technology and romance mix very nicely. Especially after you’ve had your chemistry analyzed and understand who you are “drawn to.” I am not sure how you determine whether a potential love interest is emitting the appropriate level of seratonin or estrogen to meet your requirements, but perhaps that is one of the questions on the dating form. And let’s face it, if everyone got chemically analyzed prior to dating, it would simplify romance.

“Sex expert” Laura Berman doesn’t approve of technology in romance. “It makes people lazy.” That’s right. We are relying on “impersonal emails” and texting to express ourselves, and that is not romantic. I must point out that not all emails are “impersonal” and if you don’t believe me, ask all those CEOs and generals who’ve been outed due to indiscreet emails. My favorite bit of advice from Ms. Berman is this: “it’s best to use the technology in moderation.”

Huh? Is there an Experts Academy out there where all aspiring experts are taught to use the phrase, “it’s best to use ——- in moderation.” Then you fill in the blank depending on what you want to an expert about. Go ahead. Try it. Take a word, any word, and you can begin your career as an expert. Garlic, hands, flip-flops, snow, capes, email, jets, shovels, water, sugar, beer, technology, pencils, cough syrup, cars, televisions, hedge clippers, cameras . . .