Understanding The Modern Dating Economy - James Bloodworth - #370

**Chris Williamson** (0:00)
Oh, hello, friends, welcome back to the show. My guest today is James Bloodworth. He's a journalist, podcaster and an author. We are talking about the modern dating economy. The modern dating market is a mess. From polyamory to OnlyFans, Tinder to Trad Wives, no one really knows the best approach for navigating these waters, and the lessons from our parents no longer apply. James has dedicated an entire podcast series to the most interesting parts of the dating economy, and today, we are going through them. Expect to learn whether porn addiction is really a thing, why sexual inequality is the only inequality no one wants to campaign for, James's insights around what Tinder is doing to dating, why 17% of people think that approaching anyone is harassment, and much more. Also, we have just released a video on the YouTube channel about why being an entrepreneur absolutely sucks. Hustle and Grind Culture tells you that you should flip your soy boy boss off and leave your job to go and make it on your own and create millions. But the reality of working for yourself is very different. In this video, I go through exactly why it's quite challenging and it's not all sunshine and rainbows. Go and check it out. It is linked in the show notes below or just go on the Chris Williamson YouTube channel and you will find it there. In other news, this episode is brought to you by Boohoo Man. Their brand new active range is really, really good. Those quarter zip, long sleeve, sort of high neck tops that they do are crazy comfortable. They look smart. Somehow managed to make sportswear almost look smart. And the active skinny joggers are the best joggers that I've ever found. I've been wearing them for years and years. 23 pounds or like $25 for a twin pack, one black and one gray pair, which is pretty criminal. Also, whatever it is that you need, whether it's smart stuff, work stuff, training gear, underwear, socks, accessories, everything. You can get the full works from Boohoo Man. They ship to the UK and to the USA. And you can get 40% off plus free shipping in the UK and in the USA. Go to bit.ly slash man wisdom. That's bit.ly slash man wisdom. And use the code MW40 at checkout to get a ridiculous 40% off, you probably need to update your wardrobe. You probably haven't got some cool clothes because you've been in lockdown for forever. Go to Boohoo Man, use that link, use that code. And you can probably get a brand new wardrobe for less than, you can probably get a brand new wardrobe for less than the cost of the night out that you're going to wear it on. But you'll have like 20 outfits. Go and do it. In other other news, this episode is brought to you by Pure Sport CBD. They've just done a new version of their unwind blend, which is my favorite sleep remedy. 1500 milligrams of CBD alongside all natural ingredients to help you get to sleep, reduce stress and enhance your mood. You'll wake up less throughout the night and find yourself more rested and revitalized in the morning. If you are struggling to sleep at the moment, it's a really great supplement to add in.
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James Bloodworth, welcome to the show.

**James Bloodworth** (4:25)
Nice to be here.

**Chris Williamson** (4:26)
Why is calling the dating market, the dating economy, a good term?

**James Bloodworth** (4:33)
I'm not sure it's a good term. I mean, it seems very, it seems slightly brutal to look at that dating romance and our ideas of romance to turn it into some kind of economic exchange. But I think it can be useful. I think it can be a useful way to, it can be a useful metaphor for some of the things that are going on in the world of dating. I think it can be a useful metaphor for people who aren't in that dating market at the moment. Say older, typically older people who are married or who grew up in a very different era when very different social norms prevailed. I think the idea of a dating economy can be a useful way to convey to them some of the inequalities that exist now. And the final point really is with dating apps, you have actual data on what men's and women's preferences are. So that can be put in spreadsheets. So it's kind of an economy.