libertine
So, I am currently reading The Game: Penetrating the Secret Society of Pickup Artists by Neil Strauss. It's highly misogynistic, occasionally pathetic... and completely engrossing. And I don't want to admit it, but I must -- the book strangely makes me want to try "openers" and "elicit values" on "targets" and "sets" at bars, restaurants, and clubs (well, if I actually still went to clubs) and get the coveted "IOI" (Indicator of Interest). But being the generally decent human being I am, I think I could only skim the surface of the lifestyle that absorbs and obsesses the (factual) people described in the book. And here in the big city, there are so many outlets and possibilities for "sarging" (community lingo for picking up women).
It is a way of life that consumes the author, Mr. Strauss, who admits he was always an "AFC" (Average Frustrated Chump). So, he reinvented himself by shaving his balding head, joining a gym, and getting Lasik for his poor eyesight and his teeth laser whitened. This bolsters his confidence, and between his new image and the tricks of the trade he learns from a variety of PUGs (Pickup Gurus), he becomes a master of the game and eventually "closes" on the ladies almost without fail.
What I think so many of these lost 'n' horny male souls fail to realize is that once they have attained a sense of self-confidence, and sure, even remade their image (within reason), then meeting "HBs" ("hot babes," "honey bunnies") does not necessarily have to become about "running patterns" while clad in a tacky shiny shirt and a shit-eating grin while performing rune readings or magic tricks for the ladies as a way to "elicit value." Though that does seem to work as a tactic in many cases...
This book is not only intriguing, but it is a learning experience. I now know how to spot a pick-up artist almost anytime, anywhere. And it seems there's a surfeit of them out there. From the look to the moves to the patois, I know that if I am out with a lady (a "target"), or a group of people (a "set") with an "HB" and she is "sarged" by a tanned, smiling dude in flamboyant duds, glowing jewelry, and a creepy grin (or some garish combination of recited lines and meretricious fashion), I can just toss some PUA terminology back at him (sure, I suppose I'd use a "neg") and tell him to find another set or target. That's the beauty of the book -- anyone outside the expansive PUA community who reads it will have detailed insight into the inner and outer workings of the PUA. And at the same time it is a fascinating study of a sometimes bizarre and deceitful, always lustful, and often sad subculture.
Tom Cruise's Magnolia character of Frank T.J. Mackey was allegedly based upon one longtime legend in the pick-up artist community for his manipulation of NLP (Neuro Linguistic Programming) to, uh, "hypnotize" women and get them to do his carnal bidding. And apparently, film rights have been bought for The Game.
The book even includes a comprehensive glossary of the pickup artists community language, slang, and jargon. The Game provides detailed insight into the lifestyles and patterns of a compelling subculture of shiny-shirted contemporary Casanovas -- lecherous Lotharios who might very well be lurking at a bar or club near you.
It is a way of life that consumes the author, Mr. Strauss, who admits he was always an "AFC" (Average Frustrated Chump). So, he reinvented himself by shaving his balding head, joining a gym, and getting Lasik for his poor eyesight and his teeth laser whitened. This bolsters his confidence, and between his new image and the tricks of the trade he learns from a variety of PUGs (Pickup Gurus), he becomes a master of the game and eventually "closes" on the ladies almost without fail.
What I think so many of these lost 'n' horny male souls fail to realize is that once they have attained a sense of self-confidence, and sure, even remade their image (within reason), then meeting "HBs" ("hot babes," "honey bunnies") does not necessarily have to become about "running patterns" while clad in a tacky shiny shirt and a shit-eating grin while performing rune readings or magic tricks for the ladies as a way to "elicit value." Though that does seem to work as a tactic in many cases...
This book is not only intriguing, but it is a learning experience. I now know how to spot a pick-up artist almost anytime, anywhere. And it seems there's a surfeit of them out there. From the look to the moves to the patois, I know that if I am out with a lady (a "target"), or a group of people (a "set") with an "HB" and she is "sarged" by a tanned, smiling dude in flamboyant duds, glowing jewelry, and a creepy grin (or some garish combination of recited lines and meretricious fashion), I can just toss some PUA terminology back at him (sure, I suppose I'd use a "neg") and tell him to find another set or target. That's the beauty of the book -- anyone outside the expansive PUA community who reads it will have detailed insight into the inner and outer workings of the PUA. And at the same time it is a fascinating study of a sometimes bizarre and deceitful, always lustful, and often sad subculture.
Tom Cruise's Magnolia character of Frank T.J. Mackey was allegedly based upon one longtime legend in the pick-up artist community for his manipulation of NLP (Neuro Linguistic Programming) to, uh, "hypnotize" women and get them to do his carnal bidding. And apparently, film rights have been bought for The Game.
The book even includes a comprehensive glossary of the pickup artists community language, slang, and jargon. The Game provides detailed insight into the lifestyles and patterns of a compelling subculture of shiny-shirted contemporary Casanovas -- lecherous Lotharios who might very well be lurking at a bar or club near you.
posted by Walls Falling at 5:05 PM
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