Next Post:
Previous Post:

Couple Standing Looking at Sky

I was reading this interesting article from Slate.com and was pretty impressed by how many things in life can be explain by Game Theory. Of course, in a slightly more simplified manner.

The article explains why there seems to be a lack of appealing available man? First we establish the classic marriage proposal pattern:

A dating couple dates (DUH!). Women made known she is open for a proposal and man proposes. The interaction is not “I choose you” by the man, instead, the proposal is more like “Will you choose me”, playing the ball into the female’s court.

In a rather twisted look at the above pattern, I compare it will an auction. An auction where the item on auction need not necessary sell within a certain time frame. The females being the items and the males being the bidders.

The male will bid to their true ability. Be it their character, their earning power or social status. While the female, knowing their own (female) true value, (and the hapless man does not) will hold out for the best deal, when the highest bid comes along.

First of all, we must understand that the information that both parties see here are different. The man perceived the woman to be the woman the woman wants him to see. Not to sound confusing, the woman will impress onto the man the image of the “lady” the woman is. It may not be the true person, but a image of the “perfect woman” the man thinks he is getting married to. While the man is judged by his character, his social status, his looks and his earning power.

Hence the issue arise here. A better qualified woman, will hold out for the best deal, the best man that she feels is the “one for her”. While lesser qualified woman, upon impressing a man whom is better than her league, will accept the proposal.

If such behaviour continues and after some time, good man will be removed from the game, having gotten married. While better qualified woman question why there is a lack of quality appealing man to date.

There you go, game theory at work where both parties get the best deal for themselves. Poor man.