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The Game
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laguna



Joined: 27 Jun 2010

PostPosted: Sun Sep 19, 2010 8:32 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

neilsputnik wrote:
laguna wrote:
neilsputnik wrote:
I never had a problem meeting women nor sustaining long term relationships, but I stumbled onto 'The Game' from a (female) friend weirdly enough. I found it initially very amusing, these wacky characters on some alternative lifestyle trip. Strauss is a good writer too.

Since then, I have read a lot of the material out there, spanning most of the 'systems'. I used to think it was great and very funny stuff, and although there is a good side in purportedly helping guys with no social skills, it quickly becomes apparent that a lot of this stuff is marketing hype, as well as ethically dubious at best.

-- A lot of the theories are based on an narrowly circumscribed evolutionary theory of humans. "Push the right buttons, and she will be 'hardwired' to respond." This is faulty namely because it doesn't take into account the role of real life personality differences and situations, culture, ideals, nor intellect. To me, there is something missing painting humans as the sum of their DNA. Further, a lot of mating and flirting rituals are culturally formed, and transform culturally, so I am not sure that I agree with the hard core evolutionary argument often implicit in much of these theories. Pushing it to its logical conclusion, you should be able to walk up to ANY woman, ANY time and push the right buttons. This is clearly not the case. In a move of (to me) astounding illogicality, many of the systems state, or their gurus confess that "some women just don't want to be picked up and you just gotta improve your odds by learning the material."

-- -- A realist response is that the techniques work so it must be hardwired responses. However, the information that isn't revealed is the ratio of success to failure. It might be the case that certain women respond differently to different guys, and if so, it appears to be some other variable accounting for success or failure than tapping into the hardwired responses.

-- It doesn't account for different types of people meeting each other. For instance, the theories assume that geeky (or insert any pejorative term) guys cannot meet attractive women. However, it seems reasonable to me to suggest that geeky guys can meet other geeky women, and geeky guys can meet (attractive or otherwise) women who like geeky guys.

-- A lot of systems seem to be about borderline manipulation. If you get into the material, you will hear a lot about 'frame control', 'alpha males', 'dominance' and such. To me, these are just euphemisms for doing what you want to whomever you want merely for the purposes of being 'attractive'. Whilst this may be an aspiration for some, it is not something I need nor advocate. The people I am close to don't feel the need to dominate others because the starting point is different: acting civilly and with virtue is just a good thing to do outside of the possible benefits you might get.

-- Related to this point, the philosophies often espoused are very often narrowly utilitarian. That is, acting in a certain way is only justified because of the results YOU will get. This is ethically bankrupt.

-- A very small proportion of the gurus have long term girlfriends, wives or families. This is fine on the grounds that might be what they want. However, digging a little a deeper, and I get the sense that there is a lot of sexual addiction for the 'successful' guys in the community. Also, it seems the material teaches you to get the girl, but not keep her. It would be interesting to read some retrospectives in 20 years time though.

-- A lot of the material is canned, even in so called 'natural game'. You learn what to say, what not to say, what to do in certain situations, what not to do in others, what to wear, what personalities to have, what jokes to tell etc. Although there is attraction in a rigid system and dogma for ease of learning, it is very robotic and hollow. Do you want to show women who YOU are, or what some guy has told you to be?

-- There is a limited pool of useful information; a lot of gurus recycle other people's information as well as there own, just in slightly different packaging.

-- I think there is also a claim here to preying on male insecurity as women's gossip and fashion magazines partly do to women. The situation is often set up as such: "Are you too: bald, fat, insecure, old, tall, short, poor, inept, sexually stunted etc." ... And the solution is of course to buy the latest material .... 'then I can teach you how to meet any women you want, all in the space of 200 pages!"

Whilst there is no doubting that SOME of the stuff works, especially for people who are on the shy side, I would suggest to anyone seriously considering getting deeper into the material to take it with a 'pinch of salt'. That's my take on the pick up scene.


I can counter all of this with a simple rebuttal;
statistics

All of your points are for statistically low probability events.

A geek with a beautiful girl? Sure, so long as he has money. There are other things to take into account, but even if one gets lucky, nature wins over the long runs and she will cheat on and/or drop him in the long run.

Also, being ethically dubious has no baring on effectiveness.

This is an odds game, some people can do the opposite and beat the odds, but just like going to the casino, the house always wins. You are assuming everyone can win the dating lottery, which is naive.

Also, there is not such thing as a "sex addict". We are born for that purpose specifically.


The point about sex addiction. Yes, that is why we have something called culture. It is an attempt at civilizing some of our baser instincts and to view us a sex machines misses the whole evolution of humans entirely in terms of rationality, democratic systems, language etc. If you want to view yourself as some sort of machine, by all means, but don't go passing this off as fact.


All of those things...just to pass the time between sex, or to obtain more sex, or something to do with the offspring of the aforementioned sex.

People are machines, yes. They tend to react the same way under the same circumstances, anything to the contrary is a matter of differing life experience, and even that is the same with the same life experiences and resources.
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Hotwire



Joined: 29 Aug 2010
Location: Multiverse

PostPosted: Sun Sep 19, 2010 5:50 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Okay for one night stands.

But any chick that fallls for that long term - you are dating someone with low self esteem and serious issues.

Not the kind of long term realtionship you wanna be in.

Even if it did turn into a long term relationship (one started using these 'techniques') she;s eventually going to see your real character and make her judgments based on that.

Desperate strokes for desperate guys I guess.

For me I'll stick with the old 'see / meet girl you like and give her a smile and if she smiles back or gives you eye contact, aproach and make small talk and buy her a drink and talk to her just being yourself' technique.

If that doesn't work I can't be bothered acting like a puppeteer to get laid, might just as well go to the hill...
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chellovek



Joined: 29 Feb 2008

PostPosted: Sun Sep 19, 2010 5:59 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Hotwire wrote:
Okay for one night stands.

But any chick that fallls for that long term - you are dating someone with low self esteem and serious issues.

Not the kind of long term realtionship you wanna be in.

Even if it did turn into a long term relationship (one started using these 'techniques') she;s eventually going to see your real character and make her judgments based on that.

Desperate strokes for desperate guys I guess.

For me I'll stick with the old 'see / meet girl you like and give her a smile and if she smiles back or gives you eye contact, aproach and make small talk and buy her a drink and talk to her just being yourself' technique.

If that doesn't work I can't be bothered acting like a puppeteer to get laid, might just as well go to the hill...


+10
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peppermint



Joined: 13 May 2003
Location: traversing the minefields of caddishness.

PostPosted: Sun Sep 19, 2010 6:12 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Hotwire wrote:
Okay for one night stands.

But any chick that fallls for that long term - you are dating someone with low self esteem and serious issues.

Not the kind of long term realtionship you wanna be in.

Even if it did turn into a long term relationship (one started using these 'techniques') she;s eventually going to see your real character and make her judgments based on that.

Desperate strokes for desperate guys I guess.
.


Women tend to think guys that fall for these techniques (get suckered into the idea they work) have low self esteem and serious issues too.
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asc422



Joined: 23 Feb 2009

PostPosted: Sun Sep 19, 2010 8:13 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Systematization of your pick-up game is a quick way to depression. Being a robot spoils one of the funnest things in life. It's sad when you have guys spitting off memorized lines, doing magic tricks, and pretending to have fun and whatnot. It screams of insecurity.

You read about how these guys got so good at picking up women that they could stray from the canned material once they were master pick-up artists. That just sounds like they established some self-confidence finally. I think a common thread among PUA's is they have extremely low self-esteem.

To me, I think the real "game" is learning to become so comfortable in your own skin that you can show your real personality in public without feeling self-conscience. I think this happens through combining various self-improvements. You know, how does the saying go? "You gotta love yourself first before anyone else can love you." Something like that. It's pretty true.

All it takes to attract partners is a little swagger. You can get that once you approve of yourself.
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Bloopity Bloop



Joined: 26 Apr 2009
Location: Seoul yo

PostPosted: Sun Sep 19, 2010 10:59 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

asc422 wrote:
Systematization of your pick-up game is a quick way to depression. Being a robot spoils one of the funnest things in life. It's sad when you have guys spitting off memorized lines, doing magic tricks, and pretending to have fun and whatnot. It screams of insecurity.

You read about how these guys got so good at picking up women that they could stray from the canned material once they were master pick-up artists. That just sounds like they established some self-confidence finally. I think a common thread among PUA's is they have extremely low self-esteem.

To me, I think the real "game" is learning to become so comfortable in your own skin that you can show your real personality in public without feeling self-conscience. I think this happens through combining various self-improvements. You know, how does the saying go? "You gotta love yourself first before anyone else can love you." Something like that. It's pretty true.

All it takes to attract partners is a little swagger. You can get that once you approve of yourself.


It seems like a lot of people in this thread know a lot more about this world than me, I've only read some of Strauss' stuff. Anyway, regarding the part of your post I bolded, Strauss eventually started believing that being comfortable in your own skin actually IS the key to success with women and in life.

He said he disagrees with most of the other big name PUAs in that they are all about projecting certain images of themselves that are not their true selves. Strauss' new/current philosophy is to simply be the best you you can be.

Of course, he still teaches guys those canned routines and stuff to get guys with absolutely no social skills started, but he'd eventually hope they'll develop enough confidence and self-worth to grow past the routines and become the interesting person only their family and closest friends know they are, to everyone.

So in response to everyone: I still think there is SOME value in all this PUA stuff like there is in learning almost everything.

Strauss claims he became as successful as he did by observing all the PUAs that strictly went by their own styles and taking different pieces he felt worked and were congruent with his true self. He's not into peackocking (dressing in gaudy clothes to attract attention and serve as conversation starters) because he doesn't feel that it resonates with his inner self.
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The Happy Warrior



Joined: 10 Feb 2010

PostPosted: Mon Sep 20, 2010 4:50 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Bloopity Bloop wrote:
Strauss eventually started believing that being comfortable in your own skin actually IS the key to success with women and in life.

He said he disagrees with most of the other big name PUAs in that they are all about projecting certain images of themselves that are not their true selves. Strauss' new/current philosophy is to simply be the best you you can be.

So in response to everyone: I still think there is SOME value in all this PUA stuff like there is in learning almost everything.


Right. The people who are dismissing the Game as a mere collection of techniques haven't read the Game. The Game is not an instruction manual on picking up women, although it includes such instructions. Its a novel about that world.

Peppermint wrote:
Women tend to think guys that fall for these techniques (get suckered into the idea they work) have low self esteem and serious issues too.


Many do. The positive attention men get after reading the Game, even knowing that their failures is not about who they are but about how they approach women, starts to build their confidence. In what profession do we demand people take on the most challenging tasks immediately? We expect a learning curve and a progression.
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BaldTeacher



Joined: 02 Feb 2010

PostPosted: Mon Sep 20, 2010 5:24 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Quote:

"Mystery" is Eban Pagan.


His name is Eric von Markovic. Sounds like Prussian aristocracy.

Anyway, all that game crap is too complicated for me. I just go balls out and approach a woman I find attractive without much thought of techniques or evolutionary theory or whatever. Of course you should work on your looks and personality, but the #1 dating advice out there is- don't be afraid of rejection and I'll tell you that for free.

Show me a man who never gets rejected and I'll show you a man who never gets laid.[/code]
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recessiontime



Joined: 21 Jun 2010
Location: Got avatar privileges nyahahaha

PostPosted: Mon Sep 20, 2010 8:17 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

happy warrior: I'm glad people are dismissive of the game. The fact of human nature is, they are afraid of new things. What's better is even if they knew for a fact that mystery method actually works, they wouldn't bother learning it because that takes time and effort. I think we all know that going to the gym to look good attracts women, but how many of us make the effort?

I'm glad most people don't look into this stuff. Otherwise the girls I pick up would be able to recognize that I'm opening them with canned lines, transitioning, using attraction material, qualifying them etc etc.
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Hotwire



Joined: 29 Aug 2010
Location: Multiverse

PostPosted: Mon Sep 20, 2010 8:32 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Reccessionime (nice handle btw) I think what your missing is the fact that those of us writing it off or whatever get laid without having to go to the gym 3 times a week or memorising lots of techniques etc. We just see a woman we like and go try hang out with her. If she likes us great, if not, next time, next girl.... I've tried this stuff a little and hanging out with a woman that isn't instinctively really sure she likes you is pretty whack.

And perhaps some of us actually want a 2 way relationship, not one based on pre thought out manipulation, you know? And for me that goes even for something that's just casual. I know I'm looking at the most shallow extreme side of it, but that is how I see it ultimately I guess.

Each to their own though and if it's making you and the women you meet happy, all the better.
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BaldTeacher



Joined: 02 Feb 2010

PostPosted: Mon Sep 20, 2010 8:36 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Quote:
Women tend to think guys that fall for these techniques (get suckered into the idea they work) have low self esteem and serious issues too.


Hahah everybody says that, but if someone was doing it good then you wouldn't even know they were doing it. Mystery was a virgin until he was 21, but he had a very sharp and analytical mind. He studied what naturals did and the womens reactions to it and put terminology and methodology to all of it then he became better than anyone at it. Now, people who weren't natually born with it have some knowledge of what to do. Nothing 'creepy' or 'loserish' about that.

The best resource for this kind of thing is the blog 'Roissy in DC'. It covers a whole range of issues, but it touches on attraction too. If you're easily offended or ultra PC, you should stay away though. It's not too friendly to manginas or feminists.

That being said, one can sit around and study this crap for hours, but there's nothing better than getting out there and discovering what does and doesn't work for you on your own. I hate studying anything. When I was a young teen I was scared of rejection, but then I realized that it's nothing. As long as you have an idea of what not to do, it's best to go out and find out what suits you the best without bogging your mind down and pre-planning everything.
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recessiontime



Joined: 21 Jun 2010
Location: Got avatar privileges nyahahaha

PostPosted: Mon Sep 20, 2010 8:54 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Hotwire wrote:
Reccessionime (nice handle btw) I think what your missing is the fact that those of us writing it off or whatever get laid without having to go to the gym 3 times a week or memorising lots of techniques etc. We just see a woman we like and go try hang out with her. If she likes us great, if not, next time, next girl.... I've tried this stuff a little and hanging out with a woman that isn't instinctively really sure she likes you is pretty whack.

And perhaps some of us actually want a 2 way relationship, not one based on pre thought out manipulation, you know? And for me that goes even for something that's just casual. I know I'm looking at the most shallow extreme side of it, but that is how I see it ultimately I guess.

Each to their own though and if it's making you and the women you meet happy, all the better.


I think you are assuming everyone has the same type of instinct or success with women. What about guys that are just hopeless?

Pre-thought out or not you are still manipulating a women. You are still behaving in ways to increase your attraction and value to her. I don't see what's wrong with learning techniques to increase your chances, even MM isn't some guaranteed 100% thing

Yeah to each his own. I'm not going to complain that people like you come up with reasons why you don't need this game stuff. It would great if everyone thought like you, that's ultimately what I want for everyone else.
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peppermint



Joined: 13 May 2003
Location: traversing the minefields of caddishness.

PostPosted: Tue Sep 21, 2010 5:37 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

BaldTeacher wrote:
Quote:
Women tend to think guys that fall for these techniques (get suckered into the idea they work) have low self esteem and serious issues too.


Hahah everybody says that, but if someone was doing it good then you wouldn't even know they were doing it. Mystery was a virgin until he was 21, but he had a very sharp and analytical mind. He studied what naturals did and the womens reactions to it and put terminology and methodology to all of it then he became better than anyone at it. Now, people who weren't natually born with it have some knowledge of what to do. Nothing 'creepy' or 'loserish' about that.



The fact that you guys obsess, strategize and plan ways to approach women (who are in fact, just people, like you, for the most part) in the same way one might plot a bank heist is pretty bloody creepy in my books.
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BaldTeacher



Joined: 02 Feb 2010

PostPosted: Tue Sep 21, 2010 5:51 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Quote:


The fact that you guys obsess, strategize and plan ways to approach women (who are in fact, just people, like you, for the most part) in the same way one might plot a bank heist is pretty bloody creepy in my books.


I smell a bit of sour grapes. Is someone jealous that she isn't getting approached? Or do you simply want the low-status males to stay where they are? That's basically what feminism is all about. And you use shaming words like 'creepy', 'loser', 'deadbeat dad' 'pig', etc, to keep the hierarchy in order.

Anyway, if you had any reading comprehension skills or critical thinking skills, you would see that my opinion is that it's best to go out and approach without thinking too much about strategy or theories- so don't be addressing me with that 'you guys' crap.

But if that's what works for another guy and he's getting with women that he otherwise wouldn't be, then more power to him. There's no shame in that, he's improving his lot in life. I'll explain it to you using one of your buzzwords so maybe it will trigger some ability to comprehend what I'm saying- he's 'empowering' himself.
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recessiontime



Joined: 21 Jun 2010
Location: Got avatar privileges nyahahaha

PostPosted: Tue Sep 21, 2010 6:12 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

BaldTeacher wrote:
Quote:


The fact that you guys obsess, strategize and plan ways to approach women (who are in fact, just people, like you, for the most part) in the same way one might plot a bank heist is pretty bloody creepy in my books.


I smell a bit of sour grapes. Is someone jealous that she isn't getting approached? Or do you simply want the low-status males to stay where they are? That's basically what feminism is all about. And you use shaming words like 'creepy', 'loser', 'deadbeat dad' 'pig', etc, to keep the hierarchy in order.

Anyway, if you had any reading comprehension skills or critical thinking skills, you would see that my opinion is that it's best to go out and approach without thinking too much about strategy or theories- so don't be addressing me with that 'you guys' crap.

But if that's what works for another guy and he's getting with women that he otherwise wouldn't be, then more power to him. There's no shame in that, he's improving his lot in life. I'll explain it to you using one of your buzzwords so maybe it will trigger some ability to comprehend what I'm saying- he's 'empowering' himself.




You are dealing with a woman here, don't use logic to convince, manipulate their emotions instead.

For example:

"oh no honey bunch, game is just like women applying make-up to themselves. Guys don't use make up, instead they hone they game so they can bring the best out of themselves when talking to girls. You have to understand, socially inept nerds need to learn game so they know how to talk to women."


that's called re-framing, im sure you've heard of it.
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