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Singapore govt dating app uses Gale-Shapley stable marriage algorithm

466 points · 499 comments · rzk

purplepatrick · 1790817358 · focus · HN ↗
Cute. Of course, beyond basic deal breakers, neither do people know their preferences (but they think they do), nor do the majority of preference categories actually matter.
This is a common problem with all dating apps. Specifically, interests, hobbies, daily routines, objectives, etc. have nothing to do with compatibility.
“We like the same things!” is the compatibility signal of a naive 22-yr old…
1. rayiner · 1790818401 · focus · HN ↗
  This is why matchmakers are actually a good idea. You need experienced grownups who understand what kinds of people are compatible.
  1. autumnstwilight · 1790820127 · focus · HN ↗
    I'm curious how much feedback traditional matchmakers actually get about whether their matches were long-term good or not. It seems like a "wicked problem" in which any feedback is delayed and unclear, which means even people with experience might just be developing superstitious habits/generalizations rather than truly learning from success and failure.
    jasonfarnon · 1790831425 · focus · HN ↗
    Why wouldn't they get feedback? They generally live next to each other as the marriage progresses. If anything too much blame: the relative of the matchmaker in the marriage blames the matchmaker for all the flaws and difficulties that everyone finds in their spouse as time goes on.
    nitwit005 · 1790874810 · focus · HN ↗
    That means the only feedback you get is crazy relatives yelling at you, which probably isn't that useful.
    Most people won't go out of their way to provide detailed feedback.
    pjc50 · 1790852303 · focus · HN ↗
    There's an asterisk on this, which is that the traditional approach would often be hired by and answerable to the parents, who would not necessarily want a love match but one of appropriate social and economic status.
    It still happens that way today in certain communities.

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