the elemets taken away are the fact that online dating removes most of the senses we normally use when we encounter the opposite sex, whom we find attractive...
you have only a marginal visual experience and the rest is cerebral until at which point you both decide to meet in person.
this can be an uncomfortable situation, and at least 50% of the time, it turns out to be a no go...but the positive side is that you can weed thru prospects very rapidly and at little financial obligation....