791: Math or Magic? - This American Life

In this episode of "This American Life," host Ira Glass presents several stories about love, relationships, and the quest for happiness. Each story explores a different perspective on finding and maintaining love, with some people using math to evaluate potential partners, while others believe that love can happen unexpectedly or through shared experiences.

Diane Wu, a producer on the show, created a list of 10 qualities she wants in a partner but eventually realized that finding someone she wanted to be with was its own kind of magic. Tobin Low, another producer, also created a list of qualities he wants in a partner but found that the real magic happened when he found someone he wanted to be with.

Elna Baker's story highlights the unexpected nature of love, as she fell in love with someone she met at a barbecue. Chris Benderev's story emphasizes the effort required in building a relationship, while Aviva DeKornfeld's story shows how shared experiences can bring people closer together and lead to love.

Overall, the stories in this episode illustrate the complexity and unpredictability of love and relationships, and stress the importance of effort and commitment from both partners.