"Why Online Dating Can Feel Like Such an Existential Nightmare" means do daygame
"Why Online Dating Can Feel Like Such an Existential Nightmare" means, "Do daygame, bro." If every chode is online and scared to approach chicks in person, you can exploit this market inefficiency by learning to approach chicks in person.
Way back when I first experimented with online dating, it seemed that online dating was a market inefficiency in that unusually horny chicks who wanted casual sex would hop online because they could pursue it without social consequences. Introverted chicks could meet guys without having to shed their introversion.
Now... everyone is online, real world social skills have degraded, and that implies daygame is a big improvement. My own recent experience online was epically different than my experiences ten years ago. Good strategies change as the larger environment changes. There are still probably positive aspects online and as a complement to your real game it could help. Looks more and more like a dumpster fire to me.