[wet_suit_one]

True that. I'm not looking to teach much of anything. As for the masses not believing that, well, I think you're out to lunch with that one. Can you point to any evidence to support this position?

I'm not seeking to advise anyone. If anything, I'm looking for advice by engaging in discourse on the topic at hand. I think that the parties here are up to a mature, intelligent debate of why or why not marriage and what it entails? While I may be quoting stats, they do seem to be based on something real (like about half the people I know, or a very significant number in any event are divorced and most of them aren't too happy about it). There are real consequences to divorce that the law requires. I really don't like those consequences, and from what I see for the reasons for divorce, I'm a prime candidate for it, thus my aversion to marriage.

There's a whole lot that can be learned by experience, but some things are best learned about from a distance (like what does it feel like to get shot?), or learned from authority, or by discourse. These are other valid ways of learning things about the world.