[soundslikeneon]

If this line of reasoning were correct in general, then we would expect to see an astonishingly low number of people in any kind of relationship. The simple observation that people all over the world pair up quite readily suggests that this whole thing is wrong.

In fact, since the author puts the odds of a given mate being in a relationship at 50% we can conclude that either:

1) The author thinks there is a fundamental difference in the process of seeking a woman compared to the process of seeking a man;

2) The author thinks that, while his standards are completely rational, the vast majority of people simply settle for someone convenient;

or 3) the argument itself is self-contradictory.

[sekm]

I'd go for number 2. He's looking at it rationally, but our drives don't really boil down to bits and bytes at the end. And if anything, I think that self-delusion or vain hope for something better can play a role too.