Pickup
The algorithm
When you look at all other human beings as beautiful, elegant biological machines embedded with sophisticated behavioral systems designed to align with others to maximize their chances for survival and replication, the task of understanding humanity and your place in it becomes surmountable. (Mystery 2007, “The mystery method”, p. 8-9)
Neuro-Linguistic Programming?
the art and science of excellence, derived from studying how top people in different fields obtain their outstanding results. These communication skills can be learned by anyone to improve their effectiveness both personally and professionally. (OConnorSeymour 2011, “Introducing NLP”, p. xii)
What did it become?
The domain of gurus, hypnotists, and PUAs.
Derren Brown
The Mystery Method
Similarly, in relationships, if someone doesn’t have success and wants to get it, he or she will need to adopt the algorithm for success there. I invented that algorithm. (Mystery 2007, “The mystery method”, p. 2)
- Lauren: Hot/crazy matrix
Mystery on “Freeze-Out”
compliance ladders, kino-escalation, demonstration of value
Crass quackery
I said, “That’s right. French is very soft. But German is VERY HARD IN YOUR MOUTH.” (This time I leaned on it a bit and put more of a sexual tone to it.)
Her pupils dilated for a moment, she took in a deep breath, and visibly reddened. As she did I gently nodded my head “yes” and she mirrored it back, nodding gently in return without being aware of it. (Jeffries 2011)
Dangerous systems
Was Stadil’s problem (of asking an orphan how her parents were) that he dated too much, or didn’t keep careful enough track (i.e., he needed a spreadsheet)?
- Jocelyn: “hard to build a genuine connection with someone when you are meeting numerous other women.”
Tynan’s defense
When a guy is faced with the harsh truth he has to improve himself to have a better dating life, he can either ignore that and dismiss pickup wholesale, or he can begin down the difficult road of learning social skills, understanding women, and becoming the kind of guy that girls want to be with. That’s what pickup is. (Tynan 2012)
- Samia: isn’t this dangerous?
- Maria: “Deep connection cannot be measured, nor can it be predicted with all the math in the world.”
Not so unusual
If you follow The Rules, you can rest assured that your husband will treat you like a queen—even when he is angry with you. Why? Because he spent so much time trying to get you. You have become so precious to him that he doesn’t take you for granted. (FeinSchneider 1996, “The Rules”, p. 6)
