You Should Date Mike

About Me

I'm a scientist who spends my days thinking about AI safety and my nights reading history or writing fiction. I work at the Alignment Research Center, using physics-style thinking to protect the world from rogue AI.

I love starting conversations with deep questions (e.g., if you could have all the talents of anyone in history on top of your own, who would you choose?). I get excited about explaining spin glass theory or Achaemenid court politics at parties, and I'll get even more excited hearing about what you're interested in.

I'm funny, I like talking about ideas, and I get very animated when a conversation is going well. The first time someone told me I wasn't chill, I did what any chill dude would do and asked the next fifteen people I saw whether they agreed (12/15 said yes).

Also, one time I told Obama a joke. He laughed.

Who I'm Looking For

I want to date a woman who makes me think, makes me laugh, and makes me interested in new things.

Makes me think. When I talk with you, I want to learn something. I love talking to perceptive and intelligent people who can show me things I've never seen before.

Makes me laugh Humor is a big part of how I bond with people. Many of my closest connections are built around extending a joke several months past when it stopped being funny.

Makes me interested in new things Hot take: common interests are overrated in a relationship. If I'm interested in you, I'll find your interests interesting. You're into knitting? Great, tell me about yarn weights. You're into musicals? I'm not, but I still want to know what your favorite is. There's no such thing as boring topics, only boring people.

Physically, I've dated all kinds. I have a very fortunate eye condition where women who date me become instantly attractive.

What I Want in a Relationship

I'm looking for a serious monogamous relationship. I hope to get married within the next few years and kids a few years after that. I want a best friend and a teammate, but I also want those romantic feelings that are hard to describe in a date-me doc.

My ideal relationship is built around end-of-day conversations. A mix of how-was-your-day and why-do-you-think-history-remembers-MLK-more-than-Roy-Wilkins. And gossip. I like cooking meals with my partner, cuddling, taking walks and watching lighthearted comedy shows in the evenings.

What I Bring to a Relationship

I excel at deliberately planning romantic gestures. The secret is creative thinking and hard work. I write good romantic notes and can plan a killer date.

Similarly, I'm an A+ gift giver in every aspect of life, romantic or not. I once designed a personalized crossword puzzle for a friend's birthday, and I have impeccable taste in purchasing the affection of 6-year-olds.

All that, plus I own a handheld vacuum cleaner.

Things I Love

• Long walks, alone or with a friend
• Books that make me see the world differently
• Books that make me see the world the same
• The NYTimes Crossword
• Board games
• Brooklyn 99

Testimonials

"He's just a smart witty acerbic Jewish guy"

"More curious than wise"

"Most unabashedly American person I've ever met"