How bad is this App? (New to online dating)

I just started diving into the dating app scene. I made a tinder, bumble and lastly okcupid.

It has been about a week and I have had every little success. I have been trying to make contact by asking questions related to people's profiles. Not much luck.

Few questions:

1. Are there a ton of inactive accounts (Just lie if there are not to save me some self esteem).
2. Everyone here is very "cynical." Am I wrong to still hold on to any hope of optimism?
3. Should I just be using puns and pick up lines like they do on r/tinder it seem like my response rate can't get any worse.
4. Is there any advice you would give to a 26 year old male just getting into the online dating scene?