Why men are increasingly preferring Video Games over dating

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What implications do you see?

I simply see men sparing themselves a lot of trouble for what amounts to very little reward.

That depends on how you define "a lot of trouble" and "very little reward".

If you're unsuccessful at dating, the only common factor is YOU, so self-assessment and change might be necessary.

And if it is truly the case that ALL the women you show interest in have strict standards which you do not meet,
it would seem obvious that you're approaching the wrong women.

Also, the assertion that video game playing, porn, and blow up dolls are more "reward" than emotional intimacy with a human being says something very frightening about our culture, and quite misogynist in the implication that the only purpose of dating and relationships with women for these men IS idle amusement and getting off.

Last edited by Bethie on 03 Apr 2011, 9:37 pm, edited 1 time in total.

This argument has some validity. I've always been of the opinion that the biggest difference between men and women is in the complexity of their basic motivations. Men naturally use this cost/benefit analysis as our needs are simple and we simply seek the easiest path to meet those needs. It is this tendency to follow the path of least resistance that gives rise to the Fred Flintstone/Homer Simpson/Peter Griffin caricature of the man as an overeating, womanizing, undisciplined, lazy, oaf who creates all manner of problems in the family and in society. I think this is largely an exaggeration which is done in order to be humorous rather than some feminist plot against men in general.

It is not altogether surprising that the author of this article uses a very simple efficiency argument to explain male motivations. This argument has some validity, but I don't agree that this is some sort of product of neo-feminist man bashing. There are probably just as many women choosing video games, or female friends, or careers, or hobbies. The fact of the matter is we have many more choices for entertainment and activity than even a generation ago, and when other forms of entertainment exist, it follows that those for whom the cost of romance is especially high or for whom the benefit is relatively low, will be quick to choose other forms of entertainment. How many overweight women have "given up" and bought vibrators. Is men and dolls really any different? I will give the author this point. The criticism does tend to be somewhat one sided in the public discourse. In general, any criticism of women is bigoted while any criticism of men is progressive and feminist. This double standard is a somewhat understandable reaction to the previous 5000 years where women were oppressed to varying degrees from being treated as second class citizens to being treated as property no different from a goat or an ox.

What exactly does "emotional intimacy" bring to the table for me?

Overpriced baubles? An expensive ceremony? A mortgage?

And sex, don't forget sex. Also if by families you mean a shortage of offspring for society, men can always start using donor eggs with surrogates. This would also supply emotional intimacy with a human being. It also has the advantage of being completely planned, aka you can save up money in advance and evaluate the costs of raising the child. You can also evaluate if you can actually afford said child.

It is true that with the advent of incessantly-distracting entertainment, our society has become more connected to machines than with other humans.

To save you some time,
I'm not going to be acknowledging anything you say-
I and several others tried to have a conversation with you in another thread, and you just repeat the same assertions incessantly.

As is your right, I will of course keep on as I have been of course.

The snarky quotes around such a basic human need as emotional intimacy is indicative of exactly the psychological disturbance in question, actually...

That being said, you don't have to buy any of the things you listed....
though I would imagine many bachelors would have a mortgage, anyway.

It gets more complicated that that. If you happen to be a bit divergent, albeit a good person, that doesn't change and can't change - you have to find someone who will accept your best self, otherwise they'll destroy you in the long run. For the second term yes, that's the best way to play it.


That's exactly what its not saying. The point is really this: strong, intelligent, dynamic partner - best, emotional abuser - worst, video games or porn - the limbo in between when 'best' isn't available.

An initial search comes up with these.

http://library.hsh.com/articles/first-time-homebuyers/homebuying-single-women-winning-this-battle-of-the-sexes.html

http://www.netplaces.com/mortgages/the-mortgage-business-mortgages-101/how-mortgage-demographics-are-changing.htm

I believe 9% was the rate given for single men. So no that would be a bad imagining. Although I don't see why a single man wouldn't save up and buy a home with his own money, it's very cost effective when you don't have to worry about loans or selling.

Last edited by ikorack on 03 Apr 2011, 10:09 pm, edited 1 time in total.

Right, because "strong, intelligent, dynamic women" do not exist, eh?

They're likely the very same ones the author of that poorly-spelled misogynist rant calls b*tches,
since he implies even "regular" women are uppity, over-entitled narcissists.

It's disturbing people believe this, in all honesty.

Last edited by Bethie on 03 Apr 2011, 10:08 pm, edited 1 time in total.

Guys and girls have to wait a minute typically to find the right person. The wrong person, even if well intended, likely won't get you and if you're trying overlook glaring problems in the beginning hoping it'll work its way out - this is exactly how things end up in divorce. I think guys and girls both who are holding out are doing the smart thing.

I do, too, actually, but swearing off dating and relationships with the opposite sex altogether because you've thus far failed at them is a 'nother can o' worms.

Who's doing that exactly or where is that being indicated in the article? This is getting confusing.

We must have read two different ones.

The one I read was about why men are increasingly choosing video games (and blow up dolls and porn) over dating (and relationships), and how those demanding nagging hags brought it on themselves,

Not the toys men use to distract themselves while they search for The One.

Last edited by Bethie on 03 Apr 2011, 10:25 pm, edited 2 times in total.