Why Modern Dating Sucks

A million swipes. A hundred conversations. Three awkward drinks. And still, you go to bed alone. Dating has never been easier to access and never harder to succeed at.In this episode, I explore the reasons why modern dating has become a source of frustration, anxiety, and burnout for millions of single people. The apps were supposed to solve the problem of meeting potential partners. Instead, they created a system where human beings are treated like products to be swiped, sorted, and discarded. The paradox of choice means that more options lead to less satisfaction. The gamification of romance means that the dopamine hit of a match replaces the genuine work of building a connection. Ghosting is now standard. Breadcrumbing is now expected. And everyone is afraid that someone better is just one swipe away. The data is sobering. A 2022 study found that over half of dating app users describe their experience as overwhelmingly negative . The same study found that women are four times more likely to be sexually harassed on apps than men . Men are four times more likely to have their messages ignored . The apps profit from your failure. If you find love, you delete the app. If you stay single, you keep swiping. The business model is built on loneliness. Turn down the lights, put on your headphones, and press play because the problem is not you. The problem is the system.