The Art of Thinking Clearly

"Economics as a field is in many ways as old our species, from our birth on this planet much of our lives have been spent focused on scarce resources."

Mating as a market. The sexual marketplace is a medium where individuals exchange value for mating opportunities. This framework applies economic principles to understand human mating behaviors and strategies.

Key components:

• Buyers and sellers (men and women)

• Currency (sexual market value)

• Supply and demand dynamics

• Competition and scarcity

By viewing mating through this lens, we can better understand patterns of attraction, relationship formation, and sexual behavior. This perspective helps explain phenomena like hypergamy, the 80/20 rule in dating, and the impact of social changes on mating dynamics.

"The goal of supply and demand is to ensure that above average returns do not exist for a long time, as this leads to non-efficient allocation of scarce resources."

Market forces in mating. Supply and demand principles govern the sexual marketplace, influencing mate selection and relationship dynamics. Perceived scarcity drives behavior and valuation.

Key dynamics:

• High-value mates are in high demand and short supply

• Lower-value individuals face more competition

• Perception of scarcity can lead to suboptimal choices

• Social proof and status affect perceived value

Understanding these dynamics can help individuals make more informed decisions in their mating strategies and avoid common pitfalls like oneitis or settling due to perceived scarcity.

"A man is born with a minimum of owners' equity that may grow or diminish over time."

Personal value as capital. Sexual Market Value (SMV) acts as currency in the mating market, determining one's options and bargaining power. For men, SMV is largely built over time, while for women, it's more innate but depreciates faster.

Components of SMV:

• Physical attractiveness

• Social status

• Resources and provision ability

• Personality traits

• Age (impacts differently for men and women)

Recognizing SMV as a form of personal capital encourages strategic investment in self-improvement and careful management of one's value over time. This perspective emphasizes the importance of continuous personal growth and adaptation to market demands.

"The male strategy is therefore to become a high quality product that appeals to large groups within the market."

Gender-specific strategies. Men and women employ different strategies to optimize their success in the sexual marketplace, shaped by evolutionary pressures and biological realities.

Male strategies:

• Maximize appeal to a broad range of potential mates

• Build value through performance and achievement

• Balance between short-term mating and long-term investment

Female strategies:

• Filter and select high-value mates

• Balance between genetic quality and resource provision

• Employ hypergamy to optimize mate selection

Understanding these divergent strategies helps explain common patterns in dating and relationships, such as why men focus on building status and why women are often more selective.

"The male performance burden, much like energy can never disappear it can only change form."

Continuous improvement imperative. Men face a constant performance burden in the sexual marketplace, requiring ongoing effort to build and maintain their value. This pressure shapes male behavior and success in mating.

Key aspects of male performance:

• Building social status and resources

• Developing attractive personality traits

• Maintaining physical fitness and appearance

• Demonstrating competence and dominance

The performance burden explains why men often feel pressure to achieve and why relaxing this effort can lead to decreased success in relationships. It also highlights the importance of strategic self-investment for long-term mating success.

"The female sexual strategies are based around catering to different male preferences for a partner while simultaneously eliminating other suitors."

Strategic female differentiation. Women employ various archetypes and strategies to stand out in the sexual marketplace and attract their preferred mates. These strategies aim to optimize hypergamy by targeting specific male demographics.

Major female archetypes:

• Ultra-Girl: Emphasizes traditional femininity and beauty

• Anti-Girl: Rejects typical female traits to appeal to niche preferences

• The Nurturer: Focuses on supportive and nurturing qualities

• The Achiever: Emphasizes personal accomplishments and independence

Understanding these archetypes can help both men and women navigate the complexities of attraction and mate selection more effectively.

"The risk of the merger or acquisition failing should always be a part of the due diligence process prior to entering the relationship, including a frank discussion on prospective investments."

Strategic relationship approach. Applying risk management principles to relationships can lead to better outcomes and reduced emotional and financial costs. This involves careful vetting of potential partners and clear understanding of relationship dynamics.

Key risk management strategies:

• Conduct "due diligence" on potential partners

• Understand and mitigate legal and financial risks in relationships

• Recognize and address red flags early

• Maintain personal boundaries and independence

By approaching relationships with a risk management mindset, individuals can make more informed decisions and protect their interests while still pursuing meaningful connections.

"As the century progressed, the risks were rapidly minimized and newfound freedoms opened the floodgates."

Evolving market conditions. Social changes, particularly in the 20th and 21st centuries, have significantly altered the dynamics of the sexual marketplace. Understanding these changes is crucial for adapting strategies effectively.

Key social changes affecting the market:

• Increased female independence and career focus

• Widespread use of contraception

• Changing social norms around sex and relationships

• Rise of online dating and social media

These changes have led to a more open and competitive sexual marketplace, with both positive and negative consequences for different market participants. Adapting to these new realities is essential for success in modern mating.

"Core competencies allows a man to outperform his competition and create barriers to entry for his market."

Strategic mating approach. Applying business and economic principles to sexual strategy can lead to more effective decision-making and improved outcomes in the mating market.

Key business concepts applicable to mating:

• Competitive advantage and differentiation

• Market analysis and positioning

• Brand building and management

• Investment and return on investment (ROI) thinking

By viewing one's mating strategy through a business lens, individuals can make more rational decisions, invest in their personal development more effectively, and better understand and navigate market dynamics. This approach encourages a long-term, strategic view of relationships and personal development.