Why dating is so seductive

Venn diagram: 1st circle: all the people you’re attracted to. 2nd circle: all the people who are attracted to you.

The circles overlap and there’s a tiny sliver of people to whom you’re attracted and to whom you’re attractIVE.

Then you get on a date with one of those in the sliver. And you enter a new set of values that could be deal breakers… personality, values, communication skills…

And if you get past that, then maybe, you even date a while.

And it’s good. The loneliness is gone. You have a S.O. You enjoy the benefits of being in a relationship.

But alas. It doesn’t work out.

“Sooooo close” you say.

Back to square one!

Psychologically, it’s identical to a gambling addiction. Intermittent reward. The chance at a reprieve to the existential threat of being alone is a dating app swipe away.