This is a proposal for a LessWrong Pick Up Artist (PUA)-like sub-community; PUA without the PU (get it?). Members would focus on the deliberate practice of social artistry, but with non-mating goals.
Seriously, this is the first line of the article. The title includes “Without the PU”. I don’t see how I could have been clearer.
The difficulty I’ve had in getting this point across is a big (but not the only) reason why I’ve been hesitant to develop this idea further.
To reiterate:
PUA’s got really good at a specific type social interaction—picking up women.
There are many types of social interaction that it would be beneficial to be really good at.
Therefore, we ought to see if there are any aspects of how the PUA’s went about getting good at achieving their specific goal that could be adopted to general social goals.
I think that Ethical Pick Up Artistry is a good idea (I’ve stated publicly that I’m a fan of PUA except for the misogyny, which is real and appalling), but is not at all the same as my idea.
Ahh… that makes sense—It literally means “Without the Pick Up”, but the joke implies removing the stinky elements. Both interpretations were intended, but the more important part (IMO) seems to have gotten lost.
Therefore, we ought to see if there are any aspects of how the PUA’s went about getting good at achieving their specific goal that could be adopted to general social goals.
One source of these strategies for using PUA style understanding to achieve general social goals is in pickup itself. It is a popular subject and frequently one of the first things given in testimonies about how PUA practice improved their life.
I recall that you and I had an exchange on this at some point (although I may be mistaking you for someone else). I’m not very familiar with the PUA literature, but in what little I’ve read the description of these non-pickup side benefits were one of the things that stimulated my thinking on this topic.
Could you point me to some (good) sources, or give your own thoughts on what is worth copying? I take your word that this is a popular topic, but the good bits of any body of knowledge can be hard to identify when you’re an outsider.
I’d also be happy to chat in another forum (Skype, IRC, etc), if you prefer.
Sorry. I was sure there was previous discussion on this, so I just linked to the first thing that I could find. I didn’t really read what you wrote, to be honest.
At the risk of becoming annoying, THAT IS NOT WHAT I PROPOSED:
Seriously, this is the first line of the article. The title includes “Without the PU”. I don’t see how I could have been clearer.
The difficulty I’ve had in getting this point across is a big (but not the only) reason why I’ve been hesitant to develop this idea further.
To reiterate:
PUA’s got really good at a specific type social interaction—picking up women.
There are many types of social interaction that it would be beneficial to be really good at.
Therefore, we ought to see if there are any aspects of how the PUA’s went about getting good at achieving their specific goal that could be adopted to general social goals.
I think that Ethical Pick Up Artistry is a good idea (I’ve stated publicly that I’m a fan of PUA except for the misogyny, which is real and appalling), but is not at all the same as my idea.
That joke is exactly what destroyed the clarity. You set up an alternative reading and it stuck.
Ahh… that makes sense—It literally means “Without the Pick Up”, but the joke implies removing the stinky elements. Both interpretations were intended, but the more important part (IMO) seems to have gotten lost.
Learns about memes
One source of these strategies for using PUA style understanding to achieve general social goals is in pickup itself. It is a popular subject and frequently one of the first things given in testimonies about how PUA practice improved their life.
Indeed, thanks!
I recall that you and I had an exchange on this at some point (although I may be mistaking you for someone else). I’m not very familiar with the PUA literature, but in what little I’ve read the description of these non-pickup side benefits were one of the things that stimulated my thinking on this topic.
Could you point me to some (good) sources, or give your own thoughts on what is worth copying? I take your word that this is a popular topic, but the good bits of any body of knowledge can be hard to identify when you’re an outsider.
I’d also be happy to chat in another forum (Skype, IRC, etc), if you prefer.
Sorry. I was sure there was previous discussion on this, so I just linked to the first thing that I could find. I didn’t really read what you wrote, to be honest.
A note to that effect in the discussion post would seem appropriate.
Done.