A subtle shift in perspective

[fogandrain]

We've all heard the trite saying that "the perfect woman (or man) for you is out there", usually followed by "you'll find him/her eventually." These are supposedly good for consoling someone after a messy breakup but, to be honest, I've never known them to help. While pondering idly today, I thought about the effect a small change in the above

Comments

addendum

[fogandrain]

I read part of a book several years ago called something like "Love, Sex and Mathematics" that had a chapter on the optimal selection algorithm for choosing a mate (does it get any geekier than that

Re: addendum

[fogandrain]

Google wins again... The book turns out to be called Chance: A Guide to Gambling, Love, the Stock Market and Just About Everything Else. Amazingly, after all this time I got at least the threshold number right: 37 people.

It's a pretty fun book, particularly for one about math. Take a browse if you see it in a bookstore.

Re: addendum

[forkbeard]

I think the moral to this one is pretty clear - don't date a mathematician. And while the geek in me would kill to see love quantified and explained, it might kill off the mystery, just a mite.

But as to your original question, I sort of agree. The perfect mate usually IS right out there, and it could conceivably be anyone you meet. I came very, very close to meeting Tracy about two years before we started dating - and if I'd been a butt back then, we wouldn't be dating now. I'd say - just be wonderful and charming to everyone.

Which hopefully shouldn't be too hard for you. *grin*

[fogandrain]

An article called "Familiar Strangers" made me think back to this post. It's a quantitative study on exactly those people who you pass by on a daily basis.

Good summary: http://tastyresearch.wordpress.com/2006/10/02/the-familiar-stranger-the-lady-on-the-subway/

Full Research: http://berkeley.intel-research.net/paulos/research/familiarstranger/