Men also have urges toward violence, yet we don't justify assault by saying "testosterone made me do it". We aren't slaves to instinct. The entire point of civilization is choosing which urges to act on based on long-term goals, not just following every impulse.
Approaching relationships with emotional depth doesn't feel as though I'm denying natural urges, and that's not at all what I'm advocating here. If anything my interactions feel more fulfilling, not less. I haven't tested my T but I assume at this age it's lower than it was in my early 20's, and rather than feel as though there's something to compensate for, it feels as though my body is finally catching up to my mind. The stimulation I find attractive now encompasses more than just the physical and topical qualities, and that aligns well with qualifying for the long term.
If you're an advocate for the 'fun box' then please indulge the question I posed to
@The Duke, if those women aren't worth committing to and you've decided they're not viable for a relationship, why are they worth your time and intimacy at all?
I used to think along the same lines, but as I mentioned this filters for impulsive women. Why would a woman that holds out be a bad thing? If you're worried about losing her and using sex to keep her interested then again that's coming from scarcity and fear. It's true that sex changes the dynamic, and in my opinion that provides all the more reason to be picky about the timing, like waiting for a fruit to ripen.
I haven't changed my tune. Screen for compatibility signals before getting physical. The 'simultaneous' comment acknowledged that ideally you'd assess everything at once, but prioritizing sex early has its costs and we don't talk about them enough here. If it takes 4-6 months to really know someone (your number), that's an argument for slowing down, not rushing into sex early. You're not engaging with what I'm actually saying at this point so we're simply too far apart.
I'm flattered that you feel the need to straw man, attempt to undermine my character, and get combative, but you're under no obligation to follow my advice or engage with me at all. You have no idea who I am or what I've done. Showing a lack of decorum isn't an argument, it just reveals a lack of faith in any actual substance you've provided to stand on its own.
Not to honk your horn too much but I see that mindset as absolutely ideal at this stage of my life. You're right that lots of variables are out of your control but the point was to give yourself the best chances, and from what I understand that was a long and fruitful marriage that gave you wonderful children. It's never too late to try again, I had a friend's uncle re-marry at the ripe age of 88
The pushback here is telling - suggesting men filter for characteristics outside the bedroom before getting physical is treated like taking something away, rather than aiming for something better.