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    Categories>Cheap Sex: How Technology Transformed Modern Dating

    Cheap Sex: How Technology Transformed Modern Dating

    26 min
    |
    |
    Apr 2, 2026

    Lena and Eli explore Mark Regnerus's groundbreaking analysis of how contraception, pornography, and dating apps have revolutionized romance, creating new economic dynamics that explain why modern relationships feel so different from previous generations.

    Cheap Sex: How Technology Transformed Modern Dating

    This audio lesson was created by a BeFreed community member

    Input question

    A summary of the book Cheap Sex: The Transformation of Men, Marriage, and Monogamy by Mark Regnerus

    Host voices
    Lenaplay
    Eliplay
    Knowledge sources
    Cheap Sex Chapter Summary | Mark Regnerus - Bookey
    link
    https://www.bookey.app/book/cheap-sex
    Mapping the New Mating Market: A Review of Cheap Sex
    link
    https://ifstudies.org/blog/mapping-the-new-mating-market-a-review-of-cheap-sex
    Sociologist Mark Regnerus Takes on the Economics of Cheap Sex
    link
    https://www.ncregister.com/interview/sociologist-mark-regnerus-takes-on-the-economics-of-cheap-sex
    Q&A: <em>Cheap Sex</em> and why today's young people are postponing marriage
    link
    https://www.denvercatholic.org/q-a-em-cheap-sex-em-and-why-today-s-young-people-are-postponing-marriage
    Dollars and Sex
    Labor of Love

    Discover more

    Navigate the Dating Process
    LEARNING PLAN

    Navigate the Dating Process

    Modern dating can be overwhelming with apps, changing norms, and conflicting advice. This learning plan provides practical strategies for anyone wanting to navigate the dating landscape with confidence, from self-discovery and attraction to building meaningful relationships.

    2 h 51 m•4 Sections
    Science of dating
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    Modern Romance & Courtship for Black Men
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    LEARNING PLAN

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    5 h 40 m•5 Sections
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    "Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

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    "Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

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    "I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."

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    "Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."

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    "Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."

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    "Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

    @Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC
    platform
    comments
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    17

    "Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

    @djmikemoore
    platform
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    "BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."

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    @Leo, Law Student, UPenn
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    Celebrities' reading list
    Elon MuskCharlie KirkBill GatesSteve JobsAndrew HubermanJoe RoganJordan Peterson
    Award winning collection
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    Featured Topics
    ManagementAmerican HistoryWarTradingStoicismAnxietySex
    Best books by Year
    2025 Best Non Fiction Books2024 Best Non Fiction Books2023 Best Non Fiction Books
    Learning tools
    Knowledge VisualizerAI Podcast Generator
    Featured authors
    Chimamanda Ngozi AdichieGeorge OrwellO. J. SimpsonBarbara O'NeillWinston ChurchillCharlie Kirk
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    Key Takeaways

    1

    Opening and Introduction

    0:00
    0:15
    0:37
    2

    The Economics of Modern Romance

    0:57
    1:08
    1:23
    1:38
    1:53
    2:05
    2:13
    2:31
    2:43
    2:58
    1:23
    3

    The Technology Revolution in Dating

    3:23
    3:37
    3:49
    4:05
    4:21
    4:26
    4:40
    4:56
    5:11
    5:22
    4

    The Campus Laboratory

    5:38
    5:48
    5:59
    6:09
    6:22
    6:34
    6:52
    2:43
    7:22
    7:37
    7:42
    5

    The Digital Dating Dilemma

    7:54
    8:08
    8:24
    8:31
    8:47
    1:23
    9:16
    9:27
    9:27
    9:27
    9:27
    6

    The Transformation of Marriage and Commitment

    9:29
    9:42
    9:57
    10:04
    10:21
    10:34
    6:52
    10:59
    11:14
    11:26
    7

    Power Dynamics and Bargaining in Relationships

    11:39
    11:53
    12:07
    12:19
    12:34
    12:51
    13:01
    13:16
    13:25
    13:41
    8

    The Economics of Infidelity

    13:54
    14:06
    14:19
    14:25
    14:43
    14:55
    15:08
    15:21
    15:37
    15:48
    9

    The Labor of Love in Modern Dating

    15:56
    16:14
    16:27
    16:41
    16:55
    17:07
    17:21
    17:37
    17:51
    10

    The Political Dimensions of Going Out

    18:03
    18:16
    18:30
    18:44
    18:59
    19:16
    19:28
    11

    The Paradox of Sexual Freedom

    19:45
    19:59
    20:10
    2:43
    20:41
    20:53
    21:03
    21:17
    12

    Practical Applications and What This Means for Our Listeners

    21:31
    21:45
    21:56
    22:09
    22:22
    22:38
    22:50
    23:02
    23:14
    23:29
    23:38
    23:49
    13

    Wrapping Up and Looking Forward

    24:00
    24:14
    24:24
    24:38
    24:49
    25:04
    25:16
    25:29
    25:41
    25:50
    26:01
    26:13
    26:23

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