Well, with Fred out of the way, things are a little less painful than they were. Let me quickly respond to a comment someone left on an earlier post of mine: no, it wasn’t hopeless for Fred because he was 45. In fact, one thing I’ve figured out conclusively is that the older you get, the better chance you have with women. The reason it was hopeless for Fred was because his whack game had been so deeply ingrained after 45 years, and his will to change was so weak, that he didn’t stand a chance. It is an odd thing, but even the behavioral patterns we have that simply do not work will tend to become hardened over time. If you don’t have the strength to overcome that, you are lost. As I said at the end of the last recap, Fred’s attempts at losing his v-card had failed consistently for 45 years, and yet he rejected outright every bit of advice he was given by a man who’s business is helping men lose their v-card. Does that make any sense to anyone? It made sense to Fred for some reason, and that’s why he’s gone.
Ok, the episode begins with this weeks reward challenge. The beautiful Tara and some rather nasty looking other girl teach the boys how to kiss a girl, and then choose the best one. The winner gets a wireless earbud in his ear, with Mystery dropping science in secret when the guys hit the field.
Well, this really was pretty hard to watch. I personally found none of them to be particularly worthy. Kosmo, as usual, decided he was superbad and let us all know. Miraculously, he won, although Pradeep — much as I can’t stand him — was the only one to really take control of the situation. Poor Scott looked like a 5 year old trying to eat steamed cabbage. The other guys were just… blah. In overall, the exercise was a little silly. Kissing a peach (and — check the VSpot extras — an ice cube, ice cream cone and a freaking mannequin) will give you almost zero actual useful experience in terms of kissing a real live human female. It’s not about what you do, it’s about how you react to what she does that counts.
I have a little side bit of advice here. I watched this episode with a woman, and she commented to me about how she likes to be kissed — less tongue, very soft, slow, etc. Guess what? I have experience kissing this particular girl, and she could not have been more wrong about what she likes. Women are usually pretty bad sources of information about what women like. The reason is that when you ask them what they like, they don’t tend to picture their own past experiences. Instead, they tend to picture movies, television, watching something else that gave them a “romantic” feeling, and then they tell you that they want that. But when the moment comes, suddenly film and reality are divorced. There is actually a lot more to this subject that I may divulge in a later post, but let me put it this way: being intimate with a woman — successfully — is about giving her what she wants (nothing like a movie), but making her think it’s how she thinks she wants it (exactly like a movie). It would take me a day to explain this concept fully, but there’s your teaser.
So Kosmo won the earbud. And damn does he need it.
On to instruction. Once again, we, the viewing audience, aren’t privy to the details, so let me fill you in. Part of the attraction phase is watching for IOIs (indicators of interest) from the target. We are also watching for IODs (indicators of disinterest) which tell us we are failing. We only give IOIs back after negging, and occasionally tossing out our own IODs. The idea is to get her to build attraction to you in a consistent and linear fashion, while tossing out indications of your attraction and then taking them away. This is the Cat String Theory. You are being playful, letting her know you like her, then making her think “damn, maybe he doesn’t like me”. The whole idea is to get her to earn your attention, as opposed to the other way around, which is how every other guy at the club is doing it. And every other guy is failing, so don’t do that.
IOIs are simple. She touches you. She touches her hair. She asks your name. Etc. IODs are blatant and I don’t think I need to explain them. You’ve all felt them before. The key is to not mistake an IOI for an IOD. Sometimes girls say things like “you suck, I hate you”, which can be an IOD or an IOI. Depends on how she says it.
Joe W was fucking smooth tonight. The goal was to kiss-close, which he didn’t do, but damn it he was on. Notice how he managed to spin the girl around to get her in a position to game him. Smooth. This is always my favorite move. It affects the entire room, and it is so psychological.
Joe D was a let-down. He was so on up to this point, but his game was crap tonight. Possibly the idea of the kiss-close freaked him out. I’m going to do a post on getting in shape soon, but the thing about being overweight is that you can still pick up women, but when the moment comes to get physical — especially if it means taking your clothes off — how are you going to deal with it then? Make sure you are in good shape so when that moment comes, you don’t have to panic. I think Joe D is starting to feel that.
Poor, poor Scott. He’s trying soooo hard, and yet he can’t come off as anything other that a complete nerd. He was so terrible tonight.
Brady, again… wow. Just doesn’t want to apply the game. Mystery keeps saying “you are relying on your looks” but let’s be honest: he ain’t that good looking. He needs to step it up, because he hasn’t made any progress at all.
Pradeep was possibly the lamest of all. “I’m a VIP, guys, I’m a VIP!” HUGE demonstration of lower value. Pradeep could not be lower value than that. He also tried to drag a girl into seclusion, which to me looks like a rape move. And guess what? It looks like a rape move to women, as well. You want to be a master PUA, not a master rapist, Pradeep. They should willingly accompany you. Hell, everything they do should be willing. Good God if you have to drag them, eject. They aren’t interested. Pradeep hit the trifecta by trying to bribe the girls with “free alcohol”. Oh man. A new low for low value has been reached.
Terrible. Shameful.
Kosmo won immunity. And he actually deserved it. Not only was he the only one to kiss-close, his game was tight. To be fair, Mystery was in his ear guiding him through the entire thing, so we really got a look at Mystery’s game, but Kosmo followed along nicely, and delivered the lines like a pro. Watch carefully how he plays with her, giving her IOIs and then taking them away, being cocky, confident, not needy. She’s eating it up. She loves him. That’s how it’s done.
Let’s also not forget that in week one, Kosmo was the guy so scared shitless that he couldn’t talk to a single girl, hugging the wall like a putz instead. Week 4, he’s the only one to kiss-close. That’s just amazing.
Kosmo chose as his wingmen Joe D and Joe W. Nice choices. I thought Joe W showed awesome skill. That guy is my new pick for the week. Money’s on Joe W.
At elimination, the final two were Scott and Pradeep. Scott is still so stiff, awkward, and nerdy that it’s hard to imagine him ever relaxing enough to properly game a girl. But Pradeep is such a relentless turd that I just want to see him gone. Ultimately, Mystery gives Scott the boot.
I really wanted to see Scott stay. He is dedicated, even if he doesn’t have much of a chance. Pradeep could be great, if he wasn’t such an idiot. In a sense I understand Mystery’s decision. You have to go with the guy who at least has a chance of turning it around. But I still think Scott should have been given the chance to learn a bit more. At least he’s trying. And since neither of them really have a chance in hell of reaching the end, why not pick the guy who at least wants it?
Ah well, c’est la vie.
Next week: everyone cries.
18 responses so far ↓
1 AlekNovi // Aug 28, 2007 at 11:55 am
I liked episode 3. I am just about to watch episode 4. Thanks for the heads up!
2 Alex // Aug 28, 2007 at 12:28 pm
Nice run-down on the episode. I particularly enjoyed your photoshopped pictures. The two highlights of the show I thought were Joe W’s lock in, and Kosmo’s coached game.
With the lock in, yes, I’ve read plenty of posts stating that that’s what you should do once you’ve got the target’s attention. I know I’ve probably done it plenty of times inadvertently on sets that turned out well, but have never tried to do it on purpose. The change in the conversation’s vibe and target’s body language was instantaneous! I was extremely impressed. That is something I’m going to have to work to get good at.
I love the angle of the cameras during the field tests, as they really allow you to see the body language of all the people in the set which is difficult to focus on while you’re in set. It just looks so obvious on TV.
As for Kosmo’s coaching. I was blown away by how being really proficient in the method can take one’s game to the stratosphere. Kosmo was able to deliver the lines well and naturally, but he had not yet gotten a feel for the gameplan, nor could he read the situation and know when to move on to the next phase of the interaction. However, with that knowledge in the form of Mystery, boom! Things changed 180 degrees. Who wouldn’t want to have Mystery in their ear? I think that from all the Youtube vids I’ve seen, that one shows off push/pull better than anything out there, and boy is it powerful.
As for Mystery’s decision on who to boot. I was at first pretty pissed off that Scott was let off, but I agree now having calmed down, that it was probably the right decision. The point of the show for the contestants isn’t to be the best studier, but to become the person that could roll with Mystery. Scott’s made a lot of progress, but he was starting from really far behind. Forget getting good at pickup, he has to learn to become more natural and spontaneous in regular social situations. Pradeep is a total skeez and I can’t stand him, but at this point, still has more social intelligence than Scott. Hence, the decision was correct.
I was also surprised at how quickly an interaction could move to kissing. Never thought that you could try to get there so quickly, within the night.
I have much to learn.
-A
3 Ace // Aug 28, 2007 at 12:30 pm
Nice eval seenstr, I thought this episode was both hilarious and (for lack of a better word) difficult to watch. When scott was kissing that girl - i was cringing- but it was so disgusting and funny at the same time i had to watch. And like you said - I feel bad for the guy. He is just one of those guys thats just never going to be able to cut it. In the end - i think it came down to the fact that Scott was never an AFC. Before the show - he was a below average frustrated chump. And unfortunately he still is - but i do feel bad - gotta give the guy credit for trying. Also, I think Mystery connected with Pradeep on some level, even though he’s bugging the shit out him now by not implimenting his teachings… But, in episode 3 when pradeep won the secret gambit- the vspot extras kinda hinted to me that Mystery saw a bit of pradeep in himself. If only in the fact that Pradeep is a diabolical, nerdy, probably over intelligent AFC.
thats just my 2 cents
cant wait to see them all cry next week - i think it’s because they all blow the day-time pick-up challenge….
4 Vinny // Aug 28, 2007 at 1:06 pm
I feel bad for Scott. He’s much better at applying his new learnings than “Pra-dud” (lol). If I were a teacher, and a student refuses to utilize what I’ve been trying to teach him, then he can GTFO
5 seenstr // Aug 28, 2007 at 1:07 pm
I’m really glad next week is daytime pickup. That is absolutely the hardest pickup ever. Should be interesting.
6 Alex // Aug 28, 2007 at 1:52 pm
Scott has more potential than Pradeep. Scott is stiff, and awkward, but I think a lot of that uncomfortableness comes from him being in an unfamiliar situation. Nightclubs definitely aren’t his thing. But he was willing to put in the work and of all the guys, he seemed to be the most open to learning whatever the “masters” had to teach him. All he needed were some strategies to help him cope with his discomfort. Social skills can be taught. Pradeep on the other hand….i cringed when he first opened his mouth with the VIP crap. Pradeep’s skull is dense and i honestly don’t think he’s getting anything from his time there. Mystery said Scott was his most devoted student ever. Of course actions speak louder than words. It was a big DLV on Mystery’s part to boot someone who’s so dedicated, committed, and engaged to improving himself. Mystery’s “social value” seriously went down when he chose the creepy Pradeep over his most devoted student.
7 Jon // Aug 28, 2007 at 2:19 pm
For some reason I don’t feel like Kosmo and Brady even deserve to be on the show. I definitely sense the challenges that the other guys have to overcome, but these two seem to catch on too easy, plus they have looks that get them farther than the rest. I predict either these two to be a finalist or one of the Joes.
Scott was indeed making progress and I was so pissed when he got the boot. He was the kind of guy that you want to see win instead of Pradeep. There’s a huge difference in watching someone who wants to learn, shows improvement, and gets better and watching some arrogant cheater that thinks he knows more than the teachers. In episode three, Mystery wasted his time giving P. the Gamit, in one ear and out the other.
8 Byron // Aug 28, 2007 at 6:12 pm
when Pradeep started with the VIP line, i thought i was going to cry, from laughter. i mean, i have no experience with women, none what so ever. and even i know that girls are not going to buy that. it was just pathedic.
9 Ringo // Aug 29, 2007 at 6:10 am
The decision to boot Scott probably has more to do with ratings and interest than who deserves to be there. Scott was difficult to watch interact with others. Pradeep is at least devious.
I also am puzzled at the choice of “wingmen” by the winners of the challenges. Wouldn’t you pick the two weakest guys as your wingmen so that one of the stronger challengers is eliminated. Pick Pradeep and Scott and they have to boot . . . Brady? Ok, game is on!
Finally, where can I go to meet Tara?
10 Hindsight // Aug 29, 2007 at 9:51 am
A part of me felt a little bad to see Scott get the boot, but at the same time he is the one guy that I felt had no chance of successfully applying any of Mystery’s teachings simply because of his mannerisms and awkward way of speaking… “I have a question of monumental importance,” or whatever he said last episode was just painful to watch. I definitely gotta give the guy props for trying to use some material though. You can tell he’s like a fish out of water walking through a club, but at least he didn’t wuss out and instead actually opened some sets.
On another note, Seenstr - awesome page man. I told all my buddies who are interested in PUA/social interaction about it. Especially enjoyed the Field Report at the pool hall, keep it up!
11 Jeff // Aug 29, 2007 at 8:15 pm
What was going on with the guy saying “There’s not a lot of people that can wear green” to Scott? It seemed like there was something going on deeper that I can’t determine.
12 NewOrder // Aug 29, 2007 at 10:52 pm
Jebus, what’s going on with Mystery? Is Prad’oh his little brother, the local indian mafia mobsters son or what? In episode 3 Pradumb locked Fred out of the set and didn’t use any PU material at all. In episode 4 he also didn’t use any of it. Not even the simplest opener! His only effort was to grab the neck of the girl to kiss her. Pradeep the maniac strangler. Scott surely was still stiff like a tree, but at least he used the material. But I hope that both will become PUAs after the show. So, Pradeep, after you’re kicked out in episode 5, good luck on your way!
13 Ace // Aug 30, 2007 at 6:35 am
Hey Jeff,
I believe what that guy was saying to Scott was that he WASN’T pulling off the flashy green shirt.
And to be honest - i didn’t really think he was able to pull it off either. I think that color green was too much of a girly color for him. Being that he’s not the manliest looking male… maybe he should stick to darker shades - or to still be flashy - maybe a bright blue or even silver. I dont know what do other people think… Seenstr?
Ace
14 seenstr // Aug 30, 2007 at 9:57 am
I think you’re right, Ace. The green shirt was Scott’s attempt at peacocking. The guy who said that was probably trying to bring attention to the “stand out” article in order to cut him down.
I believe his words were, “not a lot of people can pull of green” or something like that. Of course, who cares if you pull it off. It got a reaction, which was pretty much the point. A guy like Scott is going to have a hard time “pulling off” anything other than a thick pair of glasses, flood pants, and a pocket protector. So whether or not some random dude in the club thinks he’s making it work or not is irrelevant.
15 Pika // Sep 3, 2007 at 9:16 am
THANK YOU!!! I was just waiting for someone to mention that Brady “ain’t that good looking!!! Little blonde Joe is much better looking than Brady. Maybe it’s just a height thing? Go figure.
16 GMO // Sep 4, 2007 at 9:32 am
cool website, but what else do you hve going for you? there’s alot of cool websites! haha
all kidding aside, i know “kosmo” and im not suprised he’s doing well, the kid is like a sponge when it comes to learning something he’s interested in, he’s not shy really, he just never knew what to talk about before, as far as the other guys, scott will be hopeless until he learns to be more comfortable around people in general, joe w needs a little meaness in him so he wont stay in the friend zone, pradeep is the smart kid in school, he just needs to change his ways, brady and joe d should join a gym…did i forget anyone? oh and leah is too hot
17 ioi // May 13, 2008 at 9:01 pm
[…] ep 4 RecapSeenstr recaps episode 4 and fills in the blanks. IOIs, IODs, DHVs and the kiss-close.http://www.seenstr.com/2007/08/28/the-pickup-artist-ep-4/Welcome to the International Ocean InstituteDevoted to the sustainable development of the oceans. […]
18 robust // Jun 16, 2008 at 11:26 am
i cant believe the op said tara and some nasty lookin gal, leah is soooo sexy she blows tara straight out the water omg its just something about her anyway im probably a bit too late posting this as I beleive a second series is coming
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