Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.31 AVERAGE
3.31 AVERAGE
As the general director Kazakhstan Ministry of Agriculture and Wildlife, I officially approve book. Here many advices on how to make many sexy times with the livestock of ample cheese producing capacity. I follow instructions and I got syphilis 30 times! Very nice!
____
I read this ravenously on a couple of days. If I am tired, books, in general, make me drift to sleep, but this one helped me to keep awake. That's a first for me. This is probably my new favourite book. I laughed out loud many, many times during this read. Either of what the crazy shit the characters pulled off, or because of Strauss' witty remarks and writing style.
For some reason, I had been unaware of Strauss' influence on pickup, and I have been purposefully avoiding this book because of my prejudice of its advocacy of "canned material" considering the tips outdated.
This is much more. Neil Strauss' The Game tells a batshit crazy story, where he, a nerdy, writer with just a handful of sexual experiences, enters the pickup-community. He proves himself to be a fast learner, rises quickly in the ranks, becomes the #1 PUA (pickup artist), innovates and shape the community, sleeps with a ton of women, pick up celebrities and live in a huge mansion in L.A designed for attracting girls.
Along the way, Strauss describes the transition of the pickup-community and how it became a massive enterprise, and of course, explaining the different methods, giving the reader a general understanding of how to do pickup.
PUAs has created a sort of science of converting strangers into short-term intimate partners. Most advice on attraction we hear is fraudulent and superficial, spoken out of ignorance or commercial reasons. Here, the ideas are put to the test and are shared within a community. Imagine a stand-up community where hundreds of comedians are collectively working on a routine, where the jokes are constantly tested in the real world, you can guarantee it will be air-tight. Now instead of getting laughs, you get sex.
The discovery of the PUAs is not only unbelievably optimistic but also liberating. The idea is that if anyone can be successful with picking up girls, and looks, money, class, race don't matter. All that matters is how you can make the girl feel. The optimistic philosophy doesn't stop there, it is embedded in the idea that social skills are not static. We've brought up with the idea that some people are introverted, some are extroverted. Most people believe that some guys just have game (confidence, charisma, extroversion, etc...), and others just don't, end of the story. PUA's prove this theory wrong.
Although what they do is not limited to routines, it was a central part of pickup in the dawn of the twentieth century. Routines give them some stability in their interaction, and the courage to approach random girls stone sober, and considering they have faith if their battle-tested routines, they appear confident and attractive. Not only do the routines make them confident, but they also seem, and I would argue, are, much more interesting than the average Joe.
The fascinating thing about this is the strong emphasis of conveying unusual, interesting thing you know to the girl and avoiding only talking about generic topics. The PUAs ound out that the best way to convey their interesting personality and knowledge is by having an interactive demonstration. Instead of saying "I'm interested in social dynamics and psychology" They make observations such as "You must be best friends, you look at each other before you laugh."
I've always cringed when I heard about prepared material for conversations. But this book changed my mind on that. Considering how effective it was.
A lot of conversation is routine anyway. I think there's no real manipulation or "fraud" in having structure. We all have "material," the difference is that the pick-up-artists have just systemized it. Pure spontaneity and improvisation would be talking in tounges. Words are pre-planned structure. Most of what we say, how we say things, etc. is a sort of imitation. Meaningful spontaneity only exists within a structure.
The book, in my estimation, had a huge impact. Not only creating a much larger awareness of pickup but in explaining all the tactics, and therefore invalidating them, pressuring the pickup-community to shift away from the routines and toward more general principles and strategies, and character development to improve improvisation.
Strauss points out the observation that the more he does pickup, the less he views the women he's talking to like people, and more like things. Talking to women has become routine, and reiterating time-tested lines and observations, time after time, day after day, and it is no longer a genuine human interaction, but some sort of act. The strange thing, Strauss points out, is that the more objectifying he is, the more women are attracted to him.
There is also an underlying psychopathic philosophy behind pickup-artistry. I think there is a subliminal goal for guys to see women as objects, as it makes them more successful. There is also an emphasis on "Live in your own reality." I think any successful pick-up-artist, has to be psychopathic to a degree. I suppose the pick-up community has accidentally discovered that women are attracted to psychopathic-behaviour traits.
Strauss points out that misogyny may be a side-effect of pickup. Considering how easy it was for them to seduce women in relationships. Strauss makes the quite bold claim that it's easier to pick up a woman that has been married for over three years than a single woman.
Although some of the tactics seem sleazy and creepy, I believe that the majority of guys who get into this stuff are not sleazebags trying to manipulate women, but they start behaving like, psychopathic narcissists because that is what they have found women respond to, at least short-term.
One of the book's central messages is the psychological difficulties that come with getting good at pickup, and how the model of short-term attraction doesn't fit the one for the long-term. Eventually, you run out of material, and then you have to rely on "being yourself." Strauss ends the book with Disney's "happily ever after" ending, having found love at last, who appreciates him not for his pickup-skills, but the nerd he really is. Nevertheless, Strauss makes it clear that he doesn't see his involvement in pickup as a failure, considering it gave him the skills to meet the woman that likes him for who he is.
Strauss wasn't a fraud. His transformation seems genuine. He signed up for salsa, starting working out, eating healthy, upgrading his looks, learned cool things, got a large social circle, travelled the world, signed up for posture-classes and singing classes. His lifestyle, his world changed entirely. This isn't merely about which opener to use. I suppose this reflects the archetypical story where the boy pushes himself on the tight-rope to impress the nearby girl, more than he otherwise would. Meaning women have a great capability to force men to grow.
I see those who have negative opinions of the book haven't read this. It's especially embarrassing when men do it, considering it's quite obvious to anyone who's read the book, to see where he is coming from. Nevertheless, I suppose it's natural for society to be attacking this community, considering most of what is taught is not applicable at larger scales.
I find it fascinating that there is a lot of interest in spirituality, especially Eastern spirituality in PUA-circles. Maybe it's because the movement blossomed in LA, but I suspect it has something to do with that these men have felt betrayed by their tradition, friends and family. They have felt like the mainstream perspective of relationship contradicts their own experiences, and so is especially open to alternative viewpoints, hence Style and Herbal tried a crazy sleeping pattern.
To summarize: Strauss tells an incredible story with beautiful writing. It contains important insights into dating, relationships and last but not least, it gives advice on how to pick up chicks. Pickup, although not without its flaws, is a beautiful art and the book has reminded me of my love for it.
In ending, I am surprised at the lack of imagination people had concerning changing up the routines. I don't think this book invalidates any of the "techniques" perhaps only making the social-robots a bit more self-conscious of being found out.
I'll just circumvent the problem by going meta ;) "Hey, have you read 'The game'? It teaches guys how to pick up chicks, one opener is 'I need a female opinion on *blah blah*' ... what do you think?"
____
I read this ravenously on a couple of days. If I am tired, books, in general, make me drift to sleep, but this one helped me to keep awake. That's a first for me. This is probably my new favourite book. I laughed out loud many, many times during this read. Either of what the crazy shit the characters pulled off, or because of Strauss' witty remarks and writing style.
For some reason, I had been unaware of Strauss' influence on pickup, and I have been purposefully avoiding this book because of my prejudice of its advocacy of "canned material" considering the tips outdated.
This is much more. Neil Strauss' The Game tells a batshit crazy story, where he, a nerdy, writer with just a handful of sexual experiences, enters the pickup-community. He proves himself to be a fast learner, rises quickly in the ranks, becomes the #1 PUA (pickup artist), innovates and shape the community, sleeps with a ton of women, pick up celebrities and live in a huge mansion in L.A designed for attracting girls.
Along the way, Strauss describes the transition of the pickup-community and how it became a massive enterprise, and of course, explaining the different methods, giving the reader a general understanding of how to do pickup.
PUAs has created a sort of science of converting strangers into short-term intimate partners. Most advice on attraction we hear is fraudulent and superficial, spoken out of ignorance or commercial reasons. Here, the ideas are put to the test and are shared within a community. Imagine a stand-up community where hundreds of comedians are collectively working on a routine, where the jokes are constantly tested in the real world, you can guarantee it will be air-tight. Now instead of getting laughs, you get sex.
The discovery of the PUAs is not only unbelievably optimistic but also liberating. The idea is that if anyone can be successful with picking up girls, and looks, money, class, race don't matter. All that matters is how you can make the girl feel. The optimistic philosophy doesn't stop there, it is embedded in the idea that social skills are not static. We've brought up with the idea that some people are introverted, some are extroverted. Most people believe that some guys just have game (confidence, charisma, extroversion, etc...), and others just don't, end of the story. PUA's prove this theory wrong.
Although what they do is not limited to routines, it was a central part of pickup in the dawn of the twentieth century. Routines give them some stability in their interaction, and the courage to approach random girls stone sober, and considering they have faith if their battle-tested routines, they appear confident and attractive. Not only do the routines make them confident, but they also seem, and I would argue, are, much more interesting than the average Joe.
The fascinating thing about this is the strong emphasis of conveying unusual, interesting thing you know to the girl and avoiding only talking about generic topics. The PUAs ound out that the best way to convey their interesting personality and knowledge is by having an interactive demonstration. Instead of saying "I'm interested in social dynamics and psychology" They make observations such as "You must be best friends, you look at each other before you laugh."
I've always cringed when I heard about prepared material for conversations. But this book changed my mind on that. Considering how effective it was.
A lot of conversation is routine anyway. I think there's no real manipulation or "fraud" in having structure. We all have "material," the difference is that the pick-up-artists have just systemized it. Pure spontaneity and improvisation would be talking in tounges. Words are pre-planned structure. Most of what we say, how we say things, etc. is a sort of imitation. Meaningful spontaneity only exists within a structure.
The book, in my estimation, had a huge impact. Not only creating a much larger awareness of pickup but in explaining all the tactics, and therefore invalidating them, pressuring the pickup-community to shift away from the routines and toward more general principles and strategies, and character development to improve improvisation.
Strauss points out the observation that the more he does pickup, the less he views the women he's talking to like people, and more like things. Talking to women has become routine, and reiterating time-tested lines and observations, time after time, day after day, and it is no longer a genuine human interaction, but some sort of act. The strange thing, Strauss points out, is that the more objectifying he is, the more women are attracted to him.
There is also an underlying psychopathic philosophy behind pickup-artistry. I think there is a subliminal goal for guys to see women as objects, as it makes them more successful. There is also an emphasis on "Live in your own reality." I think any successful pick-up-artist, has to be psychopathic to a degree. I suppose the pick-up community has accidentally discovered that women are attracted to psychopathic-behaviour traits.
Strauss points out that misogyny may be a side-effect of pickup. Considering how easy it was for them to seduce women in relationships. Strauss makes the quite bold claim that it's easier to pick up a woman that has been married for over three years than a single woman.
Although some of the tactics seem sleazy and creepy, I believe that the majority of guys who get into this stuff are not sleazebags trying to manipulate women, but they start behaving like, psychopathic narcissists because that is what they have found women respond to, at least short-term.
One of the book's central messages is the psychological difficulties that come with getting good at pickup, and how the model of short-term attraction doesn't fit the one for the long-term. Eventually, you run out of material, and then you have to rely on "being yourself." Strauss ends the book with Disney's "happily ever after" ending, having found love at last, who appreciates him not for his pickup-skills, but the nerd he really is. Nevertheless, Strauss makes it clear that he doesn't see his involvement in pickup as a failure, considering it gave him the skills to meet the woman that likes him for who he is.
Strauss wasn't a fraud. His transformation seems genuine. He signed up for salsa, starting working out, eating healthy, upgrading his looks, learned cool things, got a large social circle, travelled the world, signed up for posture-classes and singing classes. His lifestyle, his world changed entirely. This isn't merely about which opener to use. I suppose this reflects the archetypical story where the boy pushes himself on the tight-rope to impress the nearby girl, more than he otherwise would. Meaning women have a great capability to force men to grow.
I see those who have negative opinions of the book haven't read this. It's especially embarrassing when men do it, considering it's quite obvious to anyone who's read the book, to see where he is coming from. Nevertheless, I suppose it's natural for society to be attacking this community, considering most of what is taught is not applicable at larger scales.
I find it fascinating that there is a lot of interest in spirituality, especially Eastern spirituality in PUA-circles. Maybe it's because the movement blossomed in LA, but I suspect it has something to do with that these men have felt betrayed by their tradition, friends and family. They have felt like the mainstream perspective of relationship contradicts their own experiences, and so is especially open to alternative viewpoints, hence Style and Herbal tried a crazy sleeping pattern.
To summarize: Strauss tells an incredible story with beautiful writing. It contains important insights into dating, relationships and last but not least, it gives advice on how to pick up chicks. Pickup, although not without its flaws, is a beautiful art and the book has reminded me of my love for it.
In ending, I am surprised at the lack of imagination people had concerning changing up the routines. I don't think this book invalidates any of the "techniques" perhaps only making the social-robots a bit more self-conscious of being found out.
I'll just circumvent the problem by going meta ;) "Hey, have you read 'The game'? It teaches guys how to pick up chicks, one opener is 'I need a female opinion on *blah blah*' ... what do you think?"
As a female this is an unusual book to add to my reading list so I feel like it warrants a review.
I liked Neil's writing style. He's smart and he really seems to understand what's going on underneath the folks he describes in his book. He also sprinkles the book with very smart (occasionally obscure references). In the end, he falls for a girl who doesn't fall for any of the PUA bullshit but who knows, maybe he just ended it that way so that the general public (females) wouldn't feel entirely bad and/or wouldn't hate him
Overall, I didn't find most of the techniques inherently offensive (except for perhaps the negging) but the context and the community itself does seem toxic (which Strauss indicates as well).
In spite of it's potentially offensive topic I still found it an interesting read.
I liked Neil's writing style. He's smart and he really seems to understand what's going on underneath the folks he describes in his book. He also sprinkles the book with very smart (occasionally obscure references). In the end, he falls for a girl who doesn't fall for any of the PUA bullshit but who knows, maybe he just ended it that way so that the general public (females) wouldn't feel entirely bad and/or wouldn't hate him
Overall, I didn't find most of the techniques inherently offensive (except for perhaps the negging) but the context and the community itself does seem toxic (which Strauss indicates as well).
In spite of it's potentially offensive topic I still found it an interesting read.
dark
emotional
informative
sad
fast-paced
I liked this book, even though I don’t think I liked any of the people in it. It’s a fascinating look at the lengths men will go to to get laid and feel like they’re in control. I appreciate that Strauss is upfront about the drawbacks of this kind of lifestyle, but mostly I just felt sorry for everyone involved. They’re all craving human connection and they think they can get it by manipulating women into having sex with them. Then they wonder why they still feel empty.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug abuse, Drug use, Sexism, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Alcohol
Sometime in 2015 ☆☆☆☆☆
08/01/2024 ★★★
Something huge happened to me in the last 9 years. That is the only explanation I can give as to why a book I absolutely loved the last time I read it was barely even mediocre this time.
In my memory, this book was hilarious and sarcastic, and I remember having such a connection with the main characters that I couldn't put it down.
When actually reading it this time, I mostly rolled my eyes, thought “as if” and “fuck off” and felt extremely sorry for all these pathetic men.
3 stars might be generous, I won't lie, but I did enjoy Strauss’ writing style, and there were parts of the story I did find myself drawn to. It just wasn't enough to wipe away all of the Cringe and disparity of this book.
08/01/2024 ★★★
Something huge happened to me in the last 9 years. That is the only explanation I can give as to why a book I absolutely loved the last time I read it was barely even mediocre this time.
In my memory, this book was hilarious and sarcastic, and I remember having such a connection with the main characters that I couldn't put it down.
When actually reading it this time, I mostly rolled my eyes, thought “as if” and “fuck off” and felt extremely sorry for all these pathetic men.
3 stars might be generous, I won't lie, but I did enjoy Strauss’ writing style, and there were parts of the story I did find myself drawn to. It just wasn't enough to wipe away all of the Cringe and disparity of this book.
reflective
medium-paced
So happy I read this book — not an advice book, but a memoir on male insecurity.
The author had/has has enough depth to recognize how silly much of the lifestyle was, while recognizing the confidence it brought him — and the genuine connections that resulted.
I think more people should read it with an open mind.
The author had/has has enough depth to recognize how silly much of the lifestyle was, while recognizing the confidence it brought him — and the genuine connections that resulted.
I think more people should read it with an open mind.
Eye openings book to the pick-up community and their tactics.
adventurous
informative
fast-paced
Hard to know how to rate this. This book is by far the most interesting insight into male insecurity and male confidence I've ever encountered, and for that I think it's well worth a read. For me Strauss is just about self-aware enough about the absurdity of the situations he has entered into and the person he becomes throughout the course of the book, though I can understand why people disagree on this.
An absolute amazing book, on seduction community. It is great to see how much the game has evolved from the early days to today. I suggest everyone to read it, if they want to know more about the history of pick-up, the legends of pick-up community. (It doesn't directly teach you pick-up.)
I have to love Style's evolution and depth throughout the book. We are fortunate to learn, from this book, that seduction doesn't fix your inside issues (like filling a broken bucket with water). It has it ups and downs, but life is much more than just seduction. But, seduction can teach you more about social dynamics, how to better yourself, and have a better judgement. The moment it becomes your life you lose. That's one of the messages of the book. It's very interesting seeing how Tyler Durden was described by Neil Strauss. I just wanted to add, that Tyler is the best PUA in the world. He made the jump, and made pick-up fun. He developed the inner game, before Tyler came there, everybody was trying fake routines, negs and stuff. I highly recommend the book, to anyone who wants to know how seduction works, it's pro's and con's.
I have to love Style's evolution and depth throughout the book. We are fortunate to learn, from this book, that seduction doesn't fix your inside issues (like filling a broken bucket with water). It has it ups and downs, but life is much more than just seduction. But, seduction can teach you more about social dynamics, how to better yourself, and have a better judgement. The moment it becomes your life you lose. That's one of the messages of the book. It's very interesting seeing how Tyler Durden was described by Neil Strauss. I just wanted to add, that Tyler is the best PUA in the world. He made the jump, and made pick-up fun. He developed the inner game, before Tyler came there, everybody was trying fake routines, negs and stuff. I highly recommend the book, to anyone who wants to know how seduction works, it's pro's and con's.