- •
Money symbolizes emotional security and safety
“I think it's not just the money itself, but it's also what the money comes to symbolize for people. I think people who grow up with economic insecurity, money comes to symbolize all the things they didn't have in their life. So it becomes, money is a symbol of security, money is a symbol of peace and tranquility, safety, a feeling of not being so afraid. So I think when that gets threatened, it creates tremendous distrust between parties.”
- •
Male unemployment significantly increases divorce risk
“There's a high correlation between men losing their job and the divorce rate because there's a significant hit to a man. As men being defined in many cultures as being the provider, the protector, feeling like as a result of factors beyond your control, you've lost your job is a tremendous difficult experience for anyone, but certainly for men when they're defined in their role as a provider.”
- •
Divorce happens slowly then all at once
“I always try to say to people, even when you're talking about infidelity, we want simple explanations for the complex problem of a divorce and the breakdown of a relationship. But I think people get divorced the same way they go bankrupt, very slowly and then all at once. And so no single raindrop's responsible for the flood, but all of these little things add up. And then there is some final indignity, some final moment, whether that's infidelity, whether that's financial impropriety, that really is the straw that breaks the camel's back.”
- •
Extreme wealth does not prevent relationship breakdown
“And now I represent billionaires, and they have some of the same problems. There's just no, if $100 million isn't enough, 500 is not gonna be enough. If a billion's not enough, eight billion's not enough. And I think that has a lot of second order effects on relationships.”
- •
Subsidizing social spaces could improve dating success
“My idea is to have subsidies for third places, and that is a place we don't work or sleep for, that young people get together in the company of each other for no other reason than to do something together. I love the idea. I also think some of the best clubs in New York are the ones that don't allow phones on the dance floor for exactly that reason. I mean, I think partying has gotten, has just been ruined by phones.”