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The Freakonomics guys have already proved that economics can explain everything (or at least economics can put on a good show of explaining everything). But it turns out that understanding economic theory might actually improve your chances on the pick-up scene, too. Economists studying speed dating stats in the U.K. found that while the standard clichés applied--tall men, slim women, the highly educated, and the "professionals" (that's a euphemism for "rich") were considered the cream of the crop--people didn't become pickier when there was less cream in a particular crop.

Nope, the number of dates people wanted to set up at the end of the event stayed constant; they just adjusted their standards slightly. Which meant that at a speed-dating event packed with six-foot-tall men, the five-foot-niners couldn't get a look-in. But if no one over five-foot-nine showed up? Then all of a sudden the five-niners had a date for Saturday night. Same goes for men judging women's weight, women judging men's careers, and everyone judging each other's educational background. Having trouble on the pick-up scene? Perhaps your wingwomen/wingmen are too damned tall/slim/smart/educated/rich/funny. That's one to grow on.

In the meantime, here's a little dating economic theory of our own, excerpted from our book, Rec Sex: An A-Z Guide to Hooking Up:

bear market
A bar, party, or other mingling spot with unfavorable pickup conditions, such as a kicked keg, a psycho ex in the house, an unfavorable M-to-F (or gay-to-straight, bear-to-fairy, etc.) ratio, too many frat boys/sorority girls, too many skinny boys in ironic tees/chicks in Converse sneakers, too many nauseatingly loved-up couples parroting Woody Allen dialogue, bad lighting, or someone suggesting charades.

bull market
A bar, party, or other mingling spot with very favorable pickup conditions, such as an open bar, an open patio during the first warm day of spring, a favorable M-to-F (or gay-to-straight, bear-to-fairy, etc.) ratio, just enough skinny boys in ironic tees/chicks in Converse sneakers, flattering lighting, or someone suggesting spin the bottle or pass the orange.