I pose this question because there is a sizable percentage of the population that struggles to attract a long-term relationship and/or life partner. There are many reasons for this, but one prevailing reason studied by researchers is the Evolutionary Mismatch Hypothesis. Essentially, Evolutionary Mismatch is the idea that our evolutionary adaptations are operating in an environment that differs from the environment in which they were shaped by natural selection.

For instance, and for the past 100,000 years, food was scarce, so we adapted by natural selection to prefer sweet and energy-based foods such as sugars and carbohydrates. However, in the past 100 or so years and due to technological advances, we have a food surplus, which has caused weight gain, obesity and chronic illnesses.

This is only one example, but evolutionary mismatch applies to dating as well. One example is known as the Secretary Problem. As humans, we are best meant to make decisions based on a limited number of choices. Too many choices and we become paralyzed. We simply cannot choose, so we sometimes do not make a choice at all. Operating in a limited choice environment was also shaped by natural section. In an environment where a cheetah or a lion could eat us, it was not optimal for our brains to think of an unlimited number of options. If our brains did this, we would be dead long before we decided on a course of action. Thinking of how big infinity is and when we reach it is irrelevant to our long-term survival. Our minds are not able to contemplate infinity, and this is another example of how the Secretary Problem affects us.

It goes without saying that online dating is very new in evolutionary terms. Because of how new and different it is from our ancestral natural environment, it presents a problem for many people, but even more so for women. In mating, women by and large are the selectors. When presented with numerous choices, the selector wants to peruse as many candidates as possible and to maximize the probability of selecting the best candidate. The problem becomes when the number of candidates is unlimited. When do you end the search? Because we don't do well with an infinite number of choices, we don't know when to stop in our search for a partner and in many cases, we may become picky, and this lessens our chances even more.

The question is whether the courtship process should be regulated. People often think the term regulation is confined to a governmental body, but this may not necessarily be the case. This could also come from the dating apps themselves. For instance, a person can only have a limited number of matches at any one time (example could be three (3) matches). In order to have another match, they would have to delete the match, which would send a notification to that match that they weren't interested, and they can begin their search again.

Regulation does not have to be solely with online dating only. In-person dating could be said to be more effective, but many people don't like the rejection that comes along with it. Many others also live in very confined and narrow social circles, which means they don't have the opportunities to meet other people. COVID has made things worse, since many people also now work from home.

Regulation could also be organized in local communities, especially in non-urban settings where there isn't as many activities for younger and middle-aged members of the community. For instance, there could be free matchmaking services, dance classes, book clubs (etc) that encourages people to get out of the house and meet other people.

These things could also be taxpayer funded, the aim of which would be to combat the loneliness epidemic, foster a greater sense of community and, for those who are looking to get off the dating apps, assist those who wish to find a partner in real life who share the same compatibility and chemistry.

TL;DR: Technology has increased the difficulties of finding a life partner for many people, due in part to evolutionary mismatch and (for online dating) the plethora of choice and the secretary problem. As a result, more and more people are staying single and loneliness among all age ranges (but especially young people) is at an all-time high, along with opioid addiction deaths and suicide deaths. Should courtship become more regulated by the dating apps and even by local communities to not only foster a greater sense of community and to decrease the loneliness epidemic, but to also help people pair up?

Discuss.