I don't think this was ever a positive trope to begin with. This is usually a character flaw for those who exhibit it, displaying cynicism, narcissism, and a lack of self-awareness. "Finish" refers to whatever goal the JerkAss gives priority; in context, this means sex, money, etc. It's a form of projection; the complainer complains that people unfettered by scruples succeed while they don't, while also being lacking in the scruples they claim hold them back, while being unsuccessful in spite of it.
Edited by 24.63.79.173 "For all those whose cares have been our concern, the work goes on, the cause endures, the hope still lives, and the dream shall never die."
A woman could be the prize, but this could apply to any situation where someone is striving for something.
It's just like calling someone a "loser". What contest have they "lost"? It's usually not stated. "Loser" can refer to something specific (e.g. Trump is always calling people who lose elections "losers"), or it could refer to life in general (typical American high school taunt). Failing to find a woman certainly contributes to "loser" status, but it can encompass anything else you might ultimately want in life.
The underlying premise when referring to failure to get a woman is that men generally want women. Not only is that pretty true, there's absolutely nothing wrong with that desire. In fact, it is completely natural. There's nothing insulting about that. To the contrary, being admired by men is a compliment to women, even if it turns out that they don't want the attention. It only becomes problematic when a man keeps pursuing a woman after she's told him to back off.
The Bible says that the meek shall inherit the Earth, along with a bunch of similar things. E.g. the last shall be first when God's redemption is enacted. Check out Matthew chapter 5. I am no Bible scholar, but I feel like the premise of those passage(s) is that the usual order of things in this corrupt world is that having a heart of gold will get you trampled, but you should put up with it, because God will reward you for keeping his commandments once he smashes the corrupt reign of man.
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What exactly are the parameters of what is being 'finished' here? Like, is it some kind of contest? And what's the "prize", the Standard Hero Reward? What's the penalty for not "winning"? Friendship? If that's what this trope is about, then it has an element of Tragic Dream in an otherwise bright outcome with someone you love at best, or at worst, Laser-Guided Karma for the tool who sees "no romance/sex" as equated to "losing". Seriously, this trope is so insulting when you really think about it.
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