An interesting point -- and I sometimes wonder if we would all be happy if romantic partners were decided by lottery, and nobody got to wonder if someone "better" was lurking just around the corner.

That said, compatibility may well be overrated, but what should you optimize for? I suspect most people are willing to make it work for someone they like or are attracted to enough.

Ideally, serendipity would settle the issue. But women have complained, and rightfully so, of getting hit on at the office, at the gym, etc. I don't blame them, but as a single man I do wonder what (if anything) I should be doing to scope out potential romantic partners without coming across as a creep. The apps aren't ideal, but at least I can use them with a clear conscience.