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Finding love is rarely a straightforward journey—and a polarized world of social media and dating apps can make it even harder. In today’s reading list, our editors have compiled stories on the demise of American romance, second-chance couples, being the “other woman,” and more.

Your Reading List

The Slow, Quiet Demise of American Romance

Long before calls for a 4B-style sex strike, men and women in the United States were already giving up on dating.

By Faith Hill

The Type of Love That Makes People Happiest

When it comes to lasting romance, passion has nothing on friendship.

By Arthur C. Brooks

Dear Therapist: I Was the Other Woman

I know I sound naive, but this wasn’t like a “normal” affair.

By Lori Gottlieb

The Woman Who Made Online Dating Into a ‘Science’

Almost 20 years ago, Helen Fisher helped revolutionize dating. She has no regrets.

By Kaitlyn Tiffany

What Second-Chance Couples Know About Love

Getting back together with an ex is risky—but it might pay off.

By Faith Hill

The Week Ahead

1. Kraven the Hunter, a superhero film about the journey one man goes on to become the best hunter (in theaters Friday)
2. No Good Deed, a dark comedy show starring Lisa Kudrow about three families who fight to buy the same villa (premiering on Netflix on Friday)
3. Custodians of Wonder, a book by Eliot Stein based on his BBC Travel column about the people who help keep alive ancient customs and traditions (out Tuesday)

Essay

A ‘Radical’ Approach to Reclaiming Your Attention

By Kaitlyn Tiffany

To enter the Strother School of Radical Attention, you have to walk through what has come to be known as “influencer alley.” Any time of day or night, dozens of people will be standing along this brick-paved part of Brooklyn, snapping the same Instagram photo with the Manhattan Bridge and East River in the background. There’s nothing wrong with this, but it struck me as a little funny while I headed to a course about unraveling the coercive powers of social media, phones, and digital life.

Read the full article.

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• Misogyny comes roaring back.
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• The celebrity machine never dies.
• Victims of violence don’t owe the public anything, Bekah Waalkes writes.

Catch Up on The Atlantic

• Trump’s fans are suffering from Tony Soprano syndrome.
• No, Trump can’t just “dismiss” the Senate.
• David Frum: The sound of fear on air

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