(In Defense of) The Pick Up Artist

I've been meaning to call attention to one of my favorite new shows, The Pick Up Artist on VH1.

This actually relates to my Weird Science entry.

The Pick Up Artist, and its host "Mystery", may be the subject of some ridicule. And the "seduction community" as a whole may be a big target. But I think it's fucking fascinating. At its heart, this is a show about guys trying desperately to talk to girls.

Not just talk to them, but have women see them in a different light. Sure, a guy can have a veritable dogpile of platonic female friends, and that's just a bloody lovely way to grow old alone. But these are lonely guys who want to be in some real relationships.

It's not some misogynistic conceit. Some of the techniques may be dismissed as sleazy and manipulative, just by the nature of being "techniques", but the goal isn't necessarily just to get laid.

It's not Seduce & Destroy. I'm not sure what The Venusian Arts teaches—the VH1 show doesn't deal with how men should develop a relationship, but merely how to get into one. Sure, these aren't the only methods to get into a relationship... they're just more options.

What's fascinating and sad is that there is such a gulf between men and women that something like this exists. There is a demand that is being supplied. There are books and classes and bootcamps, marketed to all these lonely people. With all the lonely people in the world, you would think it would be easier for people to walk out and make a connection. But no. It is fucking vicious.

The downside of the show is the downside of a weight-loss show like "The Biggest Loser": they shoehorn their premises into a Reality-TV template wherein someone has to get booted off each week. These are people with real problems that need help.

I'm gonna pitch a reality show called "Suicidal Tendencies". We get 12 suicidal cases and one hottie therapist. Each week, the person who isn't getting happy fast enough is kicked out of the therapy program. And handed a loaded gun. The host's send-off catchphrase could be, "Go fuck yourself." Or, "Do us all a favor." Or, "Maybe your father was right about you."

I should really get back into therapy...