How to Not Die Alone: The Surprising Science of Finding Love

by Logan Ury

Dating is a bit like stand-up comedy (though hopefully with less heckling from strangers). They’re both an audience-based art. Comics often say that if they’re at home coming up with jokes, that’s just writing. It’s not until they’re in front of a crowd that they’re truly performing stand-up. Stand-up comics know that no one brings the house down the first time they step up to the mic; they need to learn by doing. That’s one of the reasons up-and-coming comedians work so hard to get stage time. Before her breakout Netflix comedy special, Baby Cobra, Ali Wong went to multiple open mics every night, practicing her set over and over in small clubs. It’s the same with dating. You need to practice asking interesting questions, expressing yourself in a compelling way, and going in for a first kiss. Those are your reps. And you can’t work on any of these skills if you’re sitting around by yourself, “preparing.” The only way to get better at it is to actually date.

Good tip both for stand-up and for dating.