Textbook Definition of Diminishing Marginal Returns: Holding all else equal, the incremental benefits from consumption decrease as consumption increases.
She-conomic Definition: Unless something exogenous happens, (for example, a spiritual transformation that helps me continually overlook my partner's flaws), my interest in a guy generally decreases over time, and the same can most certainly be said about his interest in me.
While this supposition may explain the prevalence of break-ups and divorce, surely my tentative economic conclusion doesn't ALWAYS have to be true? How can it be that couples can truly experience lasting, INCREASING (not diminishing) love for each other?
My best guess is that some external factor (such as working "extra hard" to make a relationship work and embracing faith and guidance from the Divine) must be embraced as a force for continually "shifting out" the demand for a strong relationship with your partner. Am I wrong? Has my degree in economics forced me to abandon my fairy tale ideals about love? Opine if you care.
