Tinder Is Way More Important Than You Think

🌈 Abstract

The article discusses the role of dating apps, particularly Tinder, in facilitating population growth and its impact on the economy. It highlights the importance of young people in driving economic growth and the declining marriage and birth rates in the Western world. The article argues that dating apps can play a crucial role in addressing these demographic challenges.

🙋 Q&A

[01] The Importance of Dating Apps

1. What is the key role that dating apps like Tinder play in the U.S. economy?

• Dating apps like Tinder facilitate love and population growth, which is critical for the economy
• Tinder is estimated to be responsible for 500,000 married couples in the U.S. per year, leading to the birth of their future babies
• This is a much more cost-effective way to boost birth rates compared to government interventions like South Korea's $150 billion spending

2. What are the challenges with the current business model of dating apps like Tinder?

• Dating apps are incentivized to keep users swiping and never churning, as this maximizes their revenue
• This means the apps are designed to make users feel miserable and keep them coming back, rather than facilitating long-lasting relationships
• The algorithms used by dating apps are designed to surface potential matches that are "close, but not exactly" what the user wants, further perpetuating the cycle of despair

3. What is the author's proposed solution to address the issues with dating apps?

• The author suggests the need for a dating app that is structured to capture the value of the relationships it facilitates, rather than just keeping users engaged
• This could involve integrating features like date planning, or pairing the dating app with a vertically integrated marriage organization marketplace
• The goal would be to shift the focus from keeping users swiping to fostering long-lasting relationships that contribute to a brighter future for society

[02] The Demographic Challenges Facing the U.S.

1. What are the key demographic challenges facing the U.S. as described in the article?

• Declining fertility rates in the U.S., with the total fertility rate dropping below population-replacement levels
• Falling marriage rates, with a 70% decline since 1970
• Decreasing rates of sexual activity, with 26% of American adults not having sex at all in 2021

2. How do these demographic trends impact the U.S. economy?

• A declining young labor force makes it difficult to support the growing elderly population, as the U.S. government currently spends 40% of its budget on people 65 and up
• Shrinking populations can lead to economic stagnation, as seen in countries like Italy and Japan
• Maintaining a young, growing population is critical for driving innovation, funding social programs, and providing a flexible workforce

3. What are the potential solutions proposed in the article to address the demographic challenges?

• The article suggests that the best remaining option is to "make more babies" through measures that encourage marriage and childbirth
• However, the author acknowledges that this is a complex issue involving factors like housing prices, healthcare costs, poverty, and social media
• The author argues that building a better dating app that focuses on fostering long-lasting relationships could be a part of the solution