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.
Chris McKinlay navigates the complexities of online dating by analyzing algorithms, revealing how data-driven strategies can enhance visibility and match quality.
Through his journey, McKinlay discovers a meaningful connection with Christine Tien Wang, illustrating the potential of analytical approaches to foster genuine relationships.
Deep dives
The Struggles of Online Dating
Chris McKinley faces significant challenges in the world of online dating as he juggles his demanding PhD studies and a desire to connect romantically. Despite being a catch on paper with impressive qualifications and a charming personality, he struggles to gain attention on dating platforms. After nine months of matching with very few women, he begins to question whether the algorithms of the dating site are working against him. This revelation prompts him to dig deeper into the underlying mechanics of how profiles are ranked and seen by potential matches.
Exploiting the Algorithm
Driven by his academic background and ambition, Chris devises a plan to leverage the dating site's algorithm for his benefit. By creating automated bots that mimic user profiles and gather data about preferences and answers, Chris aims to uncover patterns that can help him improve his own visibility on the platform. After a concerted effort, he scrapes millions of data points from thousands of female users, identifying clusters of compatible women. This process allows him to understand the questions and answers that are most frequently shared among potential matches and helps him craft a more appealing profile.
Finding Love Against the Odds
After optimizing his profile based on the insightful data he gathered, Chris finds himself inundated with messages and matches, leading to numerous dates throughout Los Angeles. Although initially overwhelmed by the experience, he soon encounters the person who captures his genuine interest: Christine Tien Wang. Their connection proves to be profound and different from earlier encounters, leading to a serious relationship that lasts. Ultimately, this journey showcases how analytical approaches to dating can yield surprising results, culminating in an enduring romance that began from an unconventional method.
At thirty-one, mathematician Chris McKinlay is looking for love. But if it’s all a numbers game, his are not adding up. Could he be the problem? Or is something else getting in the way?
Producer: Lauren Armstrong Carter
Sound Designer: Jon Nicholls
Story Editor: John Yorke
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