The Game
Penetrating the Secret Society of Pickup Artists
by Neil Strauss · first published 2005
59% recommend32% neutral10% critical
Why HN recommends it
Funny, first-hand account of Strauss embedding in the pickup artist scene, read for its characters and look at social dynamics as much as for tactics; suits socially awkward readers wanting self-development.
Summarised by Claude from recommending comments
The author and his friends become preoccupied with perfecting their techniques in seducing women, until an unexpected meeting with a female guitarist makes him question his lifestyle.
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…this comment. You do not seem to realise that there are many parallels between the "PUA" community and the startup community. Both are about people striving to meet their goals. You should read "The Game", by Neil Strauss. He documents the process of becoming a pickup artist, the people he met, the stages he went through. And as you read it, you will realise something - the only surefire way to becoming…
on “Why Cruise Ships are My Favorite Remote Work Location” ↗…improve the constraint in a way that does require significant investment; (4) subordinate everything else in the system to the decision arrived at in the previous step; (5) start over at step 1. The Game, by Neil Strauss (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0060554738)
on “Articles, Ideas, Books and/or Concepts that have changed your life” ↗If it doesn't help, at least you'll be entertained: http://www.amazon.com/Game-Penetrating-Secret-Society-Artist...
on “How to get into the Hottest Restaurants in Town” ↗The Machinery of Freedom (David Friedman) -- Great book on a potential anarcho-capitalist society and how we could push the US government in that direction. The Game (Neil Strauss) -- See nopassrecover's response; he explained it well. Little Brother (Cory Doctorow) -- A fantastic novel about freedom and technology. Makers (Cory Doctorow) -- A great novel about…
on “Ask HN: Great books you read in 2009?” ↗This might sound odd, but try reading The Game by Neil Strauss: http://www.amazon.com/Game-Penetrating-Secret-Society-Artist... . It's superficially about how to pick up women, but a lot of it is actually about how to understand social life, what…
on “Ask HN: Books on overcoming shyness” ↗Actually, no. While the money will give you the confidence to get what you want, you'll find that it was the confidence, not the money, that did it. "The Game" by Neil Strauss gives an engineer-friendly algorithm, and is a fascinating read overall.
on “Ask HN: How has your life changed after selling your startup?” ↗…social conversations with guys, before focusing on girls. I would also steer away from the PickUp Artist (PUA) community until comfortable talking to guys. At that point, you may want to check out The Game: Penetrating the Secret Society of Pickup Artists by Neil Strauss. Also, it sounds like you have mild social phobias. I would solve this with exposure therapy (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Exposure_therapy).…
on “Ask HN: Have any of you successfully tried the whole social skydiving thing ? ” ↗I can think of a handful of books that have had a major impact on me. Off the top of my head: Nineteen Eighty-Four - George Orwell Fahrenheit 451 - Ray Bradbury The Game - Neil Strauss The Fountainhead - Ayn Rand Atlas Shrugged - Ayn Rand Four Steps to the Epiphany - Steve Blank Business @ The Speed of Thought - Bill Gates The Art of the Start - Guy Kawasaki
on “What is the book that has completely changed your way of thinking?” ↗Funny. I have recommended 'The Game' by Neil Strauss to more than one person for reasons beyond just meeting women. Learning how to start and manage a conversation are powerful tools.
on “What being hopelessly single taught me about pitching tech celebs” ↗The Game by Neil Strauss. I've not turned into a PUA after reading it (it was not the goal) but just after reading the first chapter, I just stood up from my desk and went straight to speak to a girl I was attracted…
on “Ask HN: What books have changed your mind?” ↗…guy who thinks of yourself in terms like "I"m not good with women" or "I never know what to say to women" then consider spending some time engaging with the PUA community. Read Neil Strauss' book The Game at a minimum. You may find some interesting revelations there.
on “Ask HN: I have lost all interest in my life. Not sure what to do?” ↗…may be literature out there on this -- please tell me if you know of any. You probably want to look at examples where this has been done and try to abstract a method out of those. Neil Strauss's The Game (about pick-up artists) is a marvellous example. And Colvin explains in Talent is Overrated how Abraham Lincoln deliberately practiced writing by analysing, simplifying, and trying to reproduce others'…
on “What the Study of Chess Experts Teaches Us About Building a Remarkable Life” ↗The Game by Neil Strauss.
on “Ask HN: Books that changed your life?” ↗…"dating" in general, flirting in particular and the low switching costs of dating in NYC for the other side e.g. if you are a pretty girl in your 20's in NYC there will "be another one soon" -Read "The Game" by Neil Strauss. Changed my life. Primarily, I realized my model for interacting with women was based on familial roles e.g. empathy, sharing emotions etc. I realized that is great for family or long…
on “Ask HN: What do you struggle with?” ↗The Game (Neil Strauss), hands down. Not so much that I found it useful but rather that it was very interesting to watch a guy hack society and attraction.
on “Ask HN: Great books you read in 2009?” ↗