Uncharted with Hannah Fry 11. Love Bytes
Sep 9, 2024
Mathematician Chris McKinlay, a thirty-one-year-old PhD student at UCLA, shares his intriguing journey in searching for love. He explores the complexities of online dating, revealing how algorithms can both connect and confuse. Chris discusses the challenge of crafting the perfect dating profile and reflects on the emotional highs and lows of modern romance. The narrative also highlights a serendipitous love story that blossoms in a coffee shop, blending ambition with genuine connection in an era dominated by digital interactions.
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Chris's Dating Struggle
- Chris McKinlay, a 31-year-old PhD student, was struggling with online dating in Los Angeles.
- Despite having a seemingly attractive profile, he was getting very few matches.
The Visibility Problem
- Chris suspected that the dating site's algorithm was the problem, not him.
- He realized that if his profile wasn't appearing in searches, it was essentially invisible.
Data Collection
- To understand the algorithm, Chris deployed bots to collect data from thousands of women's profiles.
- This allowed him to analyze their preferences and identify patterns in their answers.