Reasonably Optimistic
Reasonably Optimistic
The Washington Post
Dating is a market. Here's how to hack it.
35 minutes Posted Feb 14, 2026 at 11:00 am.
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Show notes
Want to win the dating game? Turns out business school has the playbook. Host Megan McArdle breaks down romance through Econ 101: addressable market, signaling, specialty products and sunk costs.
Whether you’re single, swiping or settled down, this episode will reshape how you think about love and commitment. Because in relationships, the fundamentals still matter — and sometimes it pays to think like a market participant.