Tom Bilyeu's Impact Theory Mating Crisis: Why The Rate Of Single Men Looking For Dates Has Declined | William Costello PT 1
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Feb 28, 2026 
William Costello, PhD student and researcher in evolutionary psychology, explores the rising recklessness and commitment-avoidance among young men. He links a 'mating crisis' to educational skews and hypergamy. They examine how dating apps, sex ratio shifts, and cultural changes reshape mating markets and male behavior.
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Consider Broadening Partner Criteria
- Lowering mate standards or 'mating down' is already occurring and may be necessary to enlarge one's partner pool.
- Costello acknowledges it's uncomfortable advice but notes evidence women are beginning to marry less-educated men.
Mating Down Raises Relationship Risks
- When women 'mate down' it can increase relationship instability via cost-infliction mate retention like infidelity and intimate partner violence.
- Costello explains benefit provisioning versus cost-infliction strategies and links lower male status to higher risk behaviors.
Men Should Level Up To Stay Competitive
- Men should become aspirational: increase skills, status, income, and physical strength to remain competitive as women's prospects rise.
- Costello frames this as practical pickup: pick yourself up, improve prospects rather than wishing the world reversed.
