This Pick-Up Artist thing, The Game etc

[WildGoose]

What the fuck is wrong with people?

Right, Neil Strauss' book has been discussed here before, it's how it made it onto my reading list, and a few months ago I read it, and found it an entertaining story but nothing more. Assuming it's true, I found the people a bit (more than a bit) sad, and the stories very difficult to believe, but I haven't spent a lot of time in America, so maybe that kind of nonsense works on people over there, because baby yanks are stupid? Who knows.

I'll admit to having had a quick charge around the web for a few days afterwards, it does tap into your head slightly, and you get that "this could be real" idea, thats the male insecurity thing coming out, that was just after one book, imagine what could happen if you immerse yourself in this shit.

I was quite surprised to find what a big thing this is/has become.

Though I guess I shouldn't be, as they are tapping into perhaps the biggest male insecurity save for penis size/premature ejaculation (yeah, i've bought those books too, fucking idiot), and then selling it. Got to be obvious right, any normal person could see that? Apparently not.

The point of this.... this weekend just gone, I went to see an old school friend that I hadn't seen in five years or so. The only one from those days I am still in vague contact with.

Was set to be a good laugh, few drinks with an old friend, catch up, maybe go out a bit. Chatting, we got onto the subject of books, and 'The Game' came up, and then I couldn't get him off the subject. All. Bloody. Night. Ever had the misfortune of chatting to a Jehova's Witness? That is what it felt like. Like some kind of religious cult. It was clear I was being targeted for conversion. Sure enough he did later ask me if I wanted to do this PUA thing with him, as he needed a 'Wingman'. Shudder.

Dianetics for Generation Y.

Went out for dinner, and he drops the bombshell that he no longer drinks so the entertainment value of the night is drying up pretty damn quick. The reason for this apparent shift in ideas, is no doubt related to something the PUA people promote, as in; you get better results or whatever. To me it sounds absurd, why you would ever want to step into a UK club sober is beyond me.

This chap was notable in school days for being one of those naturals, who seemingly had to expend no effort to be the centre of attention at whatever party (probably why we became friends, as I was notable for being the opposite) but he has somehow since lost all confidence, and seems to be the only one who cannot see that it possibly coincides with starting on the path of taking an interest in this PUA garbage.

He made a decision to sort himself out. He went on a bootcamp. He described it in painful detail. He paid £1000 (!!) for the privilege of being hussled around Leicester square for a couple of hours over each day of a weekend. Sounds like he was just pointed at people and told to talk to them, made to shout loudly across streets, hassle people on escalators and basically be as much of a nuisance as possible. Surprisingly, British people were not all that receptive to this. Those that did put up with it were probably just being polite, or were Japanese tourists with the cameras out.

Hardest thing he has ever done apparently. I diplomatically decided not to mention such things as basic training for the armed forces or any number of other truly stressful events that occur in the real world, so as not to impact on the 'achievement' factor.

He also bought a lecture course on DVD from the same company. He has kindly leant it to me, after making me sit through the first disc, dead sober, when we got back to his flat. I can not describe the agony of this, so I won't attempt to. But I don't think I have ever heard anybody say less with as many words, including most politicians, yet with far less eloquence, and added unwashed nerd.

There are 20 discs, that's 40 hours of this shit, this theory, this "Blueprint Decoded". £400 of your earth pounds please.

See here https://www.puahate.com/showthread.php?t=2642

This constantly evolving genius, that is just 'stream of consciousness' type bollocks. It has moved on from Neil Strauss magic tricks now, to a more dynamic idea of just going up and talking to people, being confident and interesting. 'Adding value' and all the other bullshit definitions.

You know, otherwise known as having a conversation, something the human race has been doing a while.

Four hundred pounds!

So thats £1400 to destroy your confidence, personality, individualism, social life, sense of humour, and any chance of ever having sex again. All in the pursuit of getting laid, which you won't.

This stuff evolves too fast don't you know, so you'll have to buy the next package to succeed.

I fucking hate scammers at the best of times, but I am genuinely concerned about what this type of shit could do to people. Vulnerable, insecure people especially. The people writing and selling this aren't qualified professionals in any medical field, and yet they are playing around with powerful tools and ideas (mostly by plagiarizing other peoples work), and i'm sure it could do some real damage.

Meanwhile living it up while the cash comes rolling in, and it will. Point is, I would never have believed it if I hadn't seen it first hand from someone I thought I knew.


tl;dr This PUA thing is a big money making scam like anything else, and I think it probably damages people quite badly as well.

I despair, basically.

Thoughts?

I dare somebody to share their success stories of how it turned their life around. I will show you to the forum door. Or perhaps give you a number to a decent shrink before it is too late.
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So in other words, he stopped you for being flagrantly in posession of a motorcycle in direct contravention of the Hippies, Darkies and People Whose Face I Don't Like The Look of (Police Powers) Act. 1976

[D O G]

A couple of friends of mine back home employed this activity to get girls. Ridiculous.

Of course, all of us who didn't use it already had formed proper relationships with laydees in the conventional manner.

One of the guys is a 'success' story, in that he bagged a lady using it - and so stopped. It did nearly get him into trouble further down the path as he had originally pretended he had a sister to open the initial conversation. Starting a relationship on a lie is never a good idea.

The others are still single, still going out gaming, and still disatisfied overall I believe.

NOt sure whether they have spent any money on it tho.

Personally I would think that it were obvious that any system telling you that in order to improve your life you need to change the way you act massively, to the point of lies and deception, was total bollocks.

[The Disapproving Brit]

If you have a *complete* lack of confidence, the very basics can sometimes help.

Example: one thing I once read is "give yourself 10 seconds after spotting someone in a club to actually talk to them. Any longer than that and you've blown it - walk away" That could actually be a useful tip for the really shy guys who sit all night and stare at girls from across the room. Once she's noticed you're looking, you start to come off as creepy very quickly.

For anyone with the most basic social skills though, it's useless.
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[garth]

Sorry, what?

I don't need to spend 1400 quid to lie, I'll just get pissed, instant confidence, then tell everyone I'm a dolphin trainer / helicopter pilot etc.
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You ain't a has been if you never was

[Charlie]

Having done some reading on the ever accurate Wikipedia I now have a better what you're on about.

PUA = Pick-Up Artist. They 'study' ways to increase their chances of 'picking up' girls by making use of psychology techniques to increase self confidence (sadly called, inner game) and improve social skills (outer game, which also includes physical appearance).

Also seems pretty sad to me.

Bit more information here:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seduction_community
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[The Artist]

Hardly alone in the legit scamming world though.

So much stuff like that, mind readers, people that contact the dead, self help courses that are in essence complete BS but people hand over huge amounts of cash for the pleasure.

[st3v3]

I've heard of it across the corners of the 'net, although given i go out at least once a month and meet a lot of girls through freinds I woudn't need to put faith in this crap but it does worry me how many guys might, and more-so for the girls they victimise.


I dont see why it's so hard for a guy to get out and drink. I get why some see talking to people(girls) can be a daunting thing but really, don't they see that the worst case scenario is the girl thinking "just, na.." and walking away; possibly with a derogatory remark? - means you move on to the next.
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Roger wrote: Women don't get damp for clingy puppies. Get some better happy pills, hit the gym & buy a medallion the size of a dinner plate. Job done

[GhostRider]

I think when it started it was pretty genuine, I mean it actually started as a guy on BBS boards outlining methods for picking up biatches, no harm in that. As Neil Strauss exposed it all though, it's provided a market for the desperate, and thus led them to being easily exploited for their cash, same as any scam.

I read "The Game" and read some of the course material/video stuff as it was/is easily available off torrents and stuff. Never put any of what I watched into practice really though, mostly because it seemed like effort, and I've never been desperate enough to make that effort (although I do remember being bored in clubs on numerous occassion and convincing girls I trained mountain rescue dogs.....in Birmingham) I think there's some wisdom in there though, as far as getting you're dick wet is concerned.

Is it sad? I don't know, about as sad as drinking yourself lagged to drum up the courage to tell some bird you like her tits and wouldn't mind a go on them, as seems to be the accepted standard for obtaining a woman. I don't feel comfortable approaching a group of single women with the intention of starting a conversation, but then I feel this stems from the fact that I have an ounce of intelligence, whereas the general populous doesn't, and if I have to start watching TOWIE in order to be in with a chance of getting some bird into my fart sack then I'd rather sever my cock with a oxyacetalene torch and be done with it.

GhostRider
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I have all the characteristics of a human being: blood, flesh, skin, hair; but not a single, clear, identifiable emotion, except for greed and disgust. Something horrible is happening inside of me and I don't know why. My nightly bloodlust has overflown into my days. I feel lethal, on the verge of frenzy. I think my mask of sanity is about to slip.

[killa]

So, let me get this straight.
You mould yourself into this new person, to pick up girls.
What happens if and when you get your dream girl and she turns out to be a keeper?

All what you just learned is now useless?
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Cleverly disguised as a responsible adult.
Bike:- Yamaha TRX850 | Killas Biking History | Killas Gaming History | Killas autmotive history

[GhostRider]

I think the end goal is to brick in their mouth and nothing much more tbh.


GhostRider
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I have all the characteristics of a human being: blood, flesh, skin, hair; but not a single, clear, identifiable emotion, except for greed and disgust. Something horrible is happening inside of me and I don't know why. My nightly bloodlust has overflown into my days. I feel lethal, on the verge of frenzy. I think my mask of sanity is about to slip.