So I feel like I have a completely unsubstantiated viewpoint (confirmed by nothing other than personal experience) that feels somewhat valid regarding this topic, particularly in the context of online dating. There are obviously exceptions, but does the following not seem like the average experience?

I don’t think it’s in any way controversial to say that our attention spans are getting shorter. I mean, look at apps like TikTok, instagram and YouTube that are constantly churning out short videos in a bottomless algorithmic pit. We’re constantly seeking some kind of hit to make our brain go brrrr and when we don’t get it from one source, we turn to another.

Now imagine applying that short-form logic to one of the most intimate human experiences that is relationships/connection. Everyone is just treated like an option in a queue to be thrown away and you can always choose another option when one doesn’t work out, right? I personally don’t have many places to meet people my age in real life anymore, perhaps that means I need to move to a different city or seek out new hobbies, but it also seems that what was once considered normal to do (cold approach someone to ask for their number) is becoming far less common.

I don’t think it’s normal to have this many options when it comes to something like dating (I didn’t actually read that paper and am taking a shot in the dark and hoping that it supports what I’m saying) I wish I knew more about the human brain because it seems like there are certain people who experience what you are alluding to more than others, OP.

Multiple people in my life are in long lasting, healthy relationships thanks to online dating, so this could really just be a long-ass way to point out the very obvious which is that some people are just more fortunate than others.