This episode explores the validity of the 80/20 rule—the claim that 80% of women are attracted to only 20% of men—as presented in the Netflix series *Adolescence*. Against the backdrop of this claim's appearance in an anti-feminist context, the podcast interviews Marina Adshade, a professor of economics, to investigate its origins and accuracy. The discussion reveals the rule's roots in Pareto's Principle, observing wealth distribution, and its subsequent misapplication to dating, stemming from an unethical and flawed Tinder "survey." More significantly, Professor Adshade highlights the manipulative nature of dating app algorithms, which can skew users' perceptions of their attractiveness and dating success, potentially reinforcing the false narrative of the 80/20 rule. In contrast, data from Hot or Not and speed dating trials suggests that people tend to date those of similar attractiveness levels, debunking the initial claim. This analysis reveals the limitations of using dating app data to understand real-world dating dynamics and cautions against accepting unsubstantiated statistics. Ultimately, the podcast concludes that the 80/20 rule is inaccurate and misleading, particularly in the context of dating apps.
