vicarz | (no subject)

2:42 and I can't get back to sleep. Something about working out often leads to this - is it the massive post-workout food (a small sandwich?) being sore (no, not really) or some rebound effect?

Reading "The Logic of Life" by Tim Harford. These econ meets life books are killing me, thanks a lot Colin. They're like candy for people with 3 digit iqs. And cynics.

Take romance vs. economics. I had a friend telling me that in NY nobody looks at a female over 30 w/o kids like she's crazy. Well, according to sex in the city of NY 1.3 million males bounce around 1.8 million females. In fact, statistics show that overall urban environments have a higher % of males than rural in the industrialized world. Women in areas in which they outnumber men, even by a little bit, tend to be higher paid and more educated.

So not crazy perhaps just means not alone.

A while ago I was whining that girls all stated they want tall men. However, it turns out that in all studies (and certainly my experience) you choose what you have to choose from. Economics folks have been cruising "speed dating" for data, and finding sad realities:
Men choose twice as many possible mates as females
Everyone lowers their standards based on what is available. Big time. So much so it is comical. Women want tall, but settle quickly when no tall people are around (Mexico and Asia, here I come). Men want not overweight (I'm quoting here) but will settle when no thin women are around.
Or as noted in Silence of the Lambs, you first covet what you know?
If true, I should get the fuck out of gothdom and fast...

As housework got easier, both men and women started marrying at older ages. The division of labor became less important so there was no need to pair up? Divorce rates have shown steady trends related to developing nations, while female worker participation is related to lower rates of abuse. Bargaining power = love. Fascinating theories.

Still wish I could sleep. When I got up star trek, 5th element, and harvey birdman were on. Thank insomnia for cable. In 2 hours I might as well get up.

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I can't remember where I read the article but, several years ago I read something that said that most people end up marrying someone that has grown up within 5 miles of where they also grew up. I would be interested to see if this statistic has changed over the years.

I am only 5'2. Most men that I meet are taller than me though I must say some of the best sex I've ever had was with someone who was only 5'6. So, I don't think I'm that attached to height.

We totally covet what we know, I've had some serious co-worker/friend crushes, but, I also think there is a healthy desire for something completely different. 75% of my immediate family has married someone of a different race, religion, country ect.. than themselves.

I think it's interesting that while people are getting married later in life, that doesn't stop them from "pairing up" any earlier. I think this has less to do with economic/work related issues and more to do with the decline of marriage as an important institution or ceremony. Plenty of people live together, buy homes and cars together, share bank accounts, have children ect.. without getting married and I don't think that they are really doing it that much later than people were 20-30 years ago, they just aren't getting married.

Edited 2008-05-20 18:53 (UTC)

Only 5'6"? Wow. You must date tall folks, or I'm fall shorter than I realize.

I remember that 5 mile rule - seems to cover the average school district. I wonder if it is out of date, or applies to those w/o a college education (many seem to meet their mates in college).

Oops! :) I guess I did date taller guys because 5'6 was the shortest guy I dated (not counting those first middle school crushes) but, I don't think I've ever chosen someone based on their height before. I normally go by that special something that you feel when you meet someone and they instantly make you feel hot and bothered.

Yeah, I think the 5 mile rule has to be out of date, I think the only reason that I remembered it was that I laughed when I first saw it. I met my husband in college and he's from New York. In fact most of the married couples that I know met while we were all in college together and almost none of them grew up in the same state.