> This sounds completely off the mark for anyone that is moderately attractive, outgoing whilst possessing intelligence and social skills (I know, such a high bar to clear amongst SV types). The fact is, if one is above average in these areas, sex with attractive females doesn't cost one anything besides the time one puts in for the experience itself.

Sounds on the mark to me. I'm extroverted AF, intelligent, can make just about anyone laugh, and can form deep bonds and have deep conversations with people I literally run into off the street. Trying to date in SFO though? Purgatory. I'm not tall - I'm 5'10". I'm not muscular but also not fat - I'm 140lb. I'm a niche good - I don't have the universal appeal of Chris Hemsworth. Therefore, real life is where I'd sell best because I do well in conversation and - unfortunately - that takes so much time. Sooooo much time. The biggest issue is just getting in front of a beautiful woman. Once I'm in front - I can shoot myself in the foot and be okay with it. But, the fact that I can't even get in front of one is the hugest barrier to my lack of dating horror stories to tell friends. It's depressing.

It's the land of 49ers and an escort like Aella sounds appealing to me. I don't know if I'd ever do it for two reasons though. Firstly, I'm a bit too dedicated to a woman's pleasure and I'd worry an escort would be too much in their head to actually enjoy themselves fully. I already have to deal with that with women as it is. I cannot imagine how much in your own head you are as an escort. There was an aspect she touched on in her article that I was thinking myself as I was reading - which is that at least now she gets paid to have mediocre sex. I'm not really into mediocre sex. She did enjoy some but I wonder what it takes for an escort to enjoy it. I've only engaged in sexual acts with women who were obviously very into me (if only for the moment due to some hormones but at least they were into me for that night or two!). I don't doubt her abilities to fake it well but I also think many men are blind, apathetic, or as self-absorbed as many women I've encountered... and I'm not. So I don't think the sex would be good for either of us unless she was into me. Thus, would it be a good experience even if it was free? Probably not. If she was into me then why are we not just dating instead of some paid transaction? I mean if we're dating then she should really be trying to convince me to buy the $3m house like my last partner wanted... $2k transactions are cheap in comparison!

Secondly, the money aspect is very real to me. I might have a couple million in the bank and a 1%er income but the value proposition just is hard for me to reckon with. I think, "$2000+ for a nice night out with a pretty lady who will only see me as long as I keep paying $2k+ for every interaction... or my soft and delicate keyboard warrior hand for the low low price of self-loathing and depression?" For someone who is a comedian in his social circle - it's quite obvious which I'm going for. Self-hatred is just too good to pass up.

Also - 20 minutes? You're with a total babe and you're gonna just spend 20 minutes? What the f. Whenever that kind of opportunity presents itself to me - you have to wheel us both out after.