Which is why you send out hundreds of messages. Like job searching (well, job searching outside the bubble that is software development at the moment), the trick is volume.
Also, if you're sending out a ton of messages and still getting no bites, then you're probably pricing yourself too high. Aim lower and see if you get any bites. OKCupid isn't really that gender imbalanced (at least compared to the typical science/engineering circles) so most guys should be able to get some responses, statistically speaking.
Or it's more likely that the user has unwanted characteristics, i.e. Asian male, short, etc. FWIW, I've met and dated beautiful women who I first met in real life circumstances. Whereas in online dating, I've sent messages/requests to women who I would probably not be that attracted to in real life and got zero responses. In real life, personality and confidence can compensate for certain physical characteristics.
Sure, but in my experience, engineers usually have the opposite problem. They're perfectly average looking white guys, but can't project the confidence that is necessary to be successful in the bar scene (or the similar situations). Online dating is a great format for people like that (assuming their personality is good--there is no helping the hopeless).
Also, let's face it, not every woman is out on the bar scene. There are plenty of women who find that social situation to be awkward and prefer the less intense world of online dating. I think if you're not naturally charismatic, going with the CW and trying to work the bar scene is a losing proposition. You're competing on a battlefield that doesn't play to your strengths while trying to meet the women who are least likely to overlook that aspect of your personality.
Also, if you're sending out a ton of messages and still getting no bites, then you're probably pricing yourself too high. Aim lower and see if you get any bites. OKCupid isn't really that gender imbalanced (at least compared to the typical science/engineering circles) so most guys should be able to get some responses, statistically speaking.