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Blink 3 of 8 - The 5 AM Club
by Robin Sharma
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Modern Romance summary
Aziz Ansari and Erik Klinenberg
Texting, sexting and more: How Aziz Ansari sees love in the 21st century
10 mins
Brief summary
Modern Romance by Aziz Ansari and Erik Klinenberg is a humorous and insightful investigation into dating in the digital age, using data from around the world to examine how technology has changed the way we find love.
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Modern Romance
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Key idea 1 of 5
A few generations ago, people married younger, usually to someone who lived near them.
Romance was quite different a few generations ago, for a number of reasons.
For one, people didn’t have mobile phones and there was less access to public transportation. So they were more likely to find love in their immediate surroundings: their city, their neighborhood or even their building. In fact, in 1932, one in every six people in Philadelphia married someone from their own block. One in eight married someone from their building.
Compare that with today. How many married couples do you know who met because they lived close to each other? Probably not many. Planes, trains and smartphones have allowed to us to form and maintain serious relationships with people in other cities, states, countries or even continents.
In the recent past, people also got married at a much younger age – and their parents often had a big say in it!
“Adulthood” was thought to start earlier back then, so people were expected to get married earlier too. In the United States, for example, up until the 1970s the average age of marriage for a man was 23. The average age for a woman was 20.
Women rarely had access to education as they often left their families to go straight into a new family life with their husbands, at an age when their interests and personalities weren’t even fully formed. And their parents often had a big influence on their choice of husband. They sought a man with a respectable job and a good reputation.
So our grandparents and great grandparents cast a smaller net and married younger, but interpersonal aspects of relationships were different too. Read on to find out more.
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What is Modern Romance about?
The internet and modern technology have revolutionized the way we communicate, learn, work and live. They’ve even revolutionized our concept of love. Modern Romance (2015) explains how our idea of “love” has changed in recent generations, and how you can make the most of today’s technology in your quest to find it.
Modern Romance Review
Modern Romance (2015) is a fascinating exploration of love and relationships in the digital age, making it a must-read for anyone navigating the complexities of modern dating. Here's what sets this book apart:
- Through extensive research and interviews, it offers insightful and eye-opening observations about the impact of technology on romance.
- This book goes beyond cliches, providing a refreshing and honest perspective on love, highlighting the challenges and possibilities of finding meaningful connections in the digital world.
- With its humorous and relatable storytelling, the book manages to entertain while shedding light on the nuances of modern relationships, ensuring that it never becomes dull.
Who should read Modern Romance?
- Seekers of romance
- Aziz Ansari fans
- Anyone interested in technology or the internet
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Modern Romance FAQs
What is the main message of Modern Romance?
The main message of Modern Romance is exploring the complexities of love and dating in the digital age.
How long does it take to read Modern Romance?
The reading time for Modern Romance varies, but it typically takes several hours. The Blinkist summary can be read in around 15 minutes.
Is Modern Romance a good book? Is it worth reading?
Modern Romance is worth reading for its insightful exploration of modern dating. It offers valuable perspectives and humorous anecdotes.
Who is the author of Modern Romance?
The authors of Modern Romance are Aziz Ansari and Erik Klinenberg.
What to read after Modern Romance?
If you're wondering what to read next after Modern Romance, here are some recommendations we suggest:
- Deeper Dating by Ken Page
- Be the Love by Sarah Prout
- Unrequited by Lisa A. Phillips
- Labor of Love by Moira Weigel
- The Art of Seduction by Robert Greene
- Single, Dating, Engaged, Married by Ben Stuart
- Come Together by Emily Nagoski
- Why Love Hurts by Eva Illouz
- How to Be Alone by Sara Maitland
- Eight Dates by John Gottman