Modern Wisdom #1031 - Macken Murphy - 18 Harsh Realities of Modern Dating
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Dec 11, 2025 
Macken Murphy, an evolutionary biologist from the University of Melbourne, dives deep into the complexities of modern dating. They explore how attraction science is evolving amidst cultural shifts. Macken discusses surprising metrics on penis size preferences and the factors influencing breakup trends. The conversation touches on the impact of physical appearance on perceived status, the implications of casual sex on relationship dynamics, and how male beauty norms are changing. Insightful research sheds light on the challenges of navigating today's dating landscape.
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Actual Penis Preferences vs Perception
- Unlabeled 3D models reveal women's preferred erect penis length ≈6.3 inches and circumference ≈4.8 inches.
- Average erect length is ~5.16 inches and men overreport size by ~20%, making ideals rarer than women expect.
Ideal vs Real Deal-Breakers
- Many women preferred sizes larger than they'd ever experienced, yet only ~27% reported breaking up partly over size.
- Size can be a deal-breaker mostly when it's too small, not too large.
Formidability Trumps Shredded Looks
- Women often prefer physiques that signal formidability rather than extreme leanness.
- Lean but low-mass transformations can reduce perceived ability to protect and hence attractiveness.
