In the long run the resolution would be the same--but we don't have infinite time. Years spent chasing prospects above one's level are years not with someone at your level. It happens because both sides are aiming high.

In the old days you would see your dating pool get depleted and realize you needed to aim lower. Now, in any reasonably large city your dating pool is close enough to infinite that this won't happen.

Sure, but I wouldn't characterize that as 'being left behind.'

Just 'being delusional.'

And if we agree there, then yes I agree that people are less self-critical and more delusional now than ever before (since we have a much bigger toolkit to manicure our image, both internally and externally).