I suspect the folks complaining about "markets" in online dating are not the kind of people who can connect offline.

To be fair, I think online dating has gotten worse -- sites like OkCupid used to match you based on shared affinity... the issue there is you could be a very high match on shared values but not someone's "type" visually -- imagine being shown the girl of your dreams only to find out the feeling is not mutual :-)

Conversely, I feel like people sometimes forget that they opted into these interactions, it's not like someone strolled up in a bar and began talking at them.

Anyways... if you're frustrated with apps, I'd suggest doing just that. Talk to people.

I met my last girlfriend at a bus stop. Before that, on a porch -- I was walking by and struck up a convo.

If you can't connect with people organically, no amount of tech can save you.