LessWrong (30+ Karma)

“The Weirdness of Dating/Mating: Deep Nonconsent Preference” by johnswentworth

7 snips
Jan 2, 2026
Delve into the intriguing world of nonconsent fantasies with surprising statistics revealing a significant number of individuals harboring such thoughts. Explore how these preferences often transcend mere fantasies and shape broader dating behaviors. The discussion uncovers the paradox of consent—often perceived as a turn-off—in romantic pursuits. Discover how subtle courtship dynamics and indirect signaling play a role in the dating landscape. Ultimately, the conversation ties these elements together, shedding light on the peculiarities of modern mating practices.
Ask episode
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
INSIGHT

Non-Consent Preference Is Widespread

  • John S. Wentworth observes non-consent appeal is common, especially among women, beyond mere kink fantasies.
  • He argues this preference often manifests outside explicit sexual contexts, shaping mating behavior.
INSIGHT

One Compact Explanation For Many Behaviors

  • Wentworth proposes being asked for consent or having to initiate turns many women off, beyond sexual fantasies.
  • He suggests a deep non-consent preference better compresses multiple dating phenomena than separate explanations.
ANECDOTE

Hot-Tub Misread Signals

  • John recounts a hot-tub interaction where a woman intended to signal interest but used denials and passive body language.
  • He notes she later reported trying to communicate yes yet failed to send clear early signals.
Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode
Get the app