Seems to me that we have to distinguish between… uhm… relative and absolute unpopularity.
Relative unpopularity is when no one talks to John, because everyone is busy trying to talk to Elvis instead. In theory, people would prefer talking to John to being alone, but in practice they are overestimating their chances with Elvis, so John remains alone.
This can be improved by giving John a moment in spotlight, e.g. by inviting him to give a short public talk about his hobbies. And by splitting the group into smaller groups, so John no longer has to compete with Elvis directly at every moment.
Absolute unpopularity is when people prefer staying alone to talking to John. This can only be fixed by changing John.
Seems to me that we have to distinguish between… uhm… relative and absolute unpopularity.
Relative unpopularity is when no one talks to John, because everyone is busy trying to talk to Elvis instead. In theory, people would prefer talking to John to being alone, but in practice they are overestimating their chances with Elvis, so John remains alone.
This can be improved by giving John a moment in spotlight, e.g. by inviting him to give a short public talk about his hobbies. And by splitting the group into smaller groups, so John no longer has to compete with Elvis directly at every moment.
Absolute unpopularity is when people prefer staying alone to talking to John. This can only be fixed by changing John.