site banner
PaperclipPerfector  4d ago (text post)   2431 thread views

Small-Scale Question Sunday for July 12, 2026

Do you have a dumb question that you're kind of embarrassed to ask in the main thread? Is there something you're just not sure about?

This is your opportunity to ask questions. No question too simple or too silly.

Culture war topics are accepted, and proposals for a better intro post are appreciated.

2
Top Bottom Old Controversial Comments
Jump in the discussion.

No email address required.

Recurring 'how to fix dating [sites]'

How about a bounty hunting dating site? Kind of like one of these prediction market websites. Is that already a thing?

Person puts up a profile with a $$$ reward for providing h[im] with a date with an eligible mate. Obviously tiered-rewards that are only unlocked under certain conditions. Maximum reward if you actually end up dating, minimum reward if [s]he shows up on the date.

Proposed dates would have to be vetted with a minimum of parameters. For example, while submitting the bounty, if one of the parameters is 'BMI<20', the website should simultaneously indicate how much of the prospective population is available to fulfill the bounty. Then the service would also indicate what an appropriate amount would be for the bounty, given how attractive the target vs recipient is, as a proportion of the population.

One of the issues I have with trying to play matchmaker, is that if I know a single woman, I don't know if she would be a good fit for the guy, and I don't want them to get indignant at me for a rotten deal.

Ideally, with such a service, people who are good at fulfilling bounties will gain recognition, and there will be more trust that they're not just trying to scam or setup the usual ghosting. Kind of like reviews on online sellers.

Step 1: be an attractive girl with a low BMI
Step 2: hire a guy to be your matchmaker
Step 3: the guy manages your dating schedule with the biggest whales
Step 4: PROFIT

I think I recognize this plan. Does the manager also apply violence if the whale doesn't want to pay? And perhaps hold onto the woman's money so she doesn't spend it on foolish things?

No, and he doesn't have to dress extravagantly either. Modern technology has obviated the need for such exploitative forms of workplace interaction in the more upmarket segment of this market niche.

Once again, modern tech has obviated working class job.

What is this place?

This website is a place for people who want to move past shady thinking and test their ideas in a court of people who don't all share the same biases. Our goal is to optimize for light, not heat; this is a group effort, and all commentators are asked to do their part.

The weekly Culture War threads host the most controversial topics and are the most visible aspect of The Motte. However, many other topics are appropriate here. We encourage people to post anything related to science, politics, or philosophy; if in doubt, post!

Check out The Vault for an archive of old quality posts. You are encouraged to crosspost these elsewhere.


Why are you called The Motte?

A motte is a stone keep on a raised earthwork common in early medieval fortifications. More pertinently, it's an element in a rhetorical move called a "Motte-and-Bailey", originally identified by philosopher Nicholas Shackel. It describes the tendency in discourse for people to move from a controversial but high value claim to a defensible but less exciting one upon any resistance to the former. He likens this to the medieval fortification, where a desirable land (the bailey) is abandoned when in danger for the more easily defended motte. In Shackel's words, "The Motte represents the defensible but undesired propositions to which one retreats when hard pressed."

On The Motte, always attempt to remain inside your defensible territory, even if you are not being pressed.


New post guidelines

If you're posting something that isn't related to the culture war, we encourage you to post a thread for it. A submission statement is highly appreciated, but isn't necessary for text posts or links to largely-text posts such as blogs or news articles; if we're unsure of the value of your post, we might remove it until you add a submission statement. A submission statement is required for non-text sources (videos, podcasts, images).

Culture war posts go in the culture war thread; all links must either include a submission statement or significant commentary. Bare links without those will be removed.

If in doubt, please post it!


Rules


Recommended Posts And Communities

Recommended Realtime Chats