Mystery, The Pick Up Artist
After about ten years of trial and error, Mystery assumingly learned how to talk to women. Not content with being the only Casanova on the planet, he formed his aptly titled "Mystery Method." This eventually led him to start appearing on television.
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Just The Facts
- Erik James Horvat-Markovic is his real name. His alternate name, Erik von Markovic, isn't any better.
- Was thrust into popularity by being the focal point of "The Game," a book written by Neil Strauss.
- Is "The World's Greatest Pick-Up Artist," a title equal in prestige to "Tire Salesman of the Month."
- Hosts VH1's reality show "The Pick-Up Artist."
- Penned the misogynist materpiece "Mystery Method: How to Get Beautiful Women into Bed."
- Learned everything he knows about picking up women from the completely related field of magic.
Cracked on Mystery
"I'm gonna get you laid."
Mystery first became known for marketing his technique designed to seduce women. It is a detailed step by step process that he has humbly named the Mystery Method. By doing this, he has somehow attempted to turn the time honored tradition of goggling over beautiful women into a game that comes with its own set of cheat codes.
However, he still would have remained out of the public's eye had it not been for the book The Game: Penetrating the Secret Society of Pick-up Artists. This book details the life of Mystery as told from his own protégé, Neil Struass. Following Mystery around like a puppy waiting for the next treat, Struass documents the day to day life of Mystery. He is such a good little wingman; Mystery decides to induct him into the society of pick-up artists, christening him with the nom de plume "Style."
This is him, right here. Yeah, fuck you.
Things only went downhill from there. The online community for pick-up artists, alt.seduction.fast, began to grow rapidly. Then, having a cult following second only to Scientology, Mystery decided to start teaching his Mystery Method to the public. At around $2500, an average, lonely man could learn pick-up techniques directly from Mystery at a weekend bootcamp. We can only imagine this involving Drill Instructors, but instead of a Smokey Bear hat, they wear fuzzy top hats. And instead of yelling, they would just pout.
Super Sergeant Shag Hat
Things could not have possibly gotten any worse for the normal guys who just wanted to get laid. That was until VH1 caught onto the existence of this society of dong-masters. Somehow feeling that shows such as Hogan Knows Best and Flavor of Love weren’t sufficient enough at numbing the minds of the masses, the producers at VH1 signed on Mystery to host The Pick-Up Artist.
If only we were talking about the shitty movie with Tony Stark
The Bullshit that is The Game
"Game" was a term coined early in the 70's urban area to describe one's ability to attract a female. After two decades of over-use by the suburban community, Style took it the next extreme by writing and publishing The Game: Penetrating the Secret Society of Pick-Up Artists. This is hailed as scripture to the seduction community, gold embroidery and all...
Seriously Style, Fuck you.
Those who actually read this are in for a treat (and by treat, we mean douchebaggery). The lingos and terminologies shared amongst pick-up artists are finally revealed, and they are rather lame. A pick-up artist is referred to a "PUA", a backhanded compliment is a "neg." The common guy is referred to an "AFC", or average frustrated chump. The pals that help you out, those are your "wings."
Wings?
Finally, the book reveals that within the deepest centers of the seduction community lies... an attention whoring little princess. Besides being a constant drama queen, Mystery also had several cat fights for control over the Mystery Method Company. After several months, Mystery and Style formed the Venusian Arts. Mystery then attempted to sue the Mystery Method Company, proving once and for all that not only are pick-up artists in it just for the attention, but that they are not at all above irony.
Mystery, after several days of not getting any attention.
The Man, The Mystery, The Method
The Mystery Method has ensured that Mystery gets his own spot in the 7th Circle of Hell. He encourages men to wear the most ridiculous clothes they can find, and then use them to "peacock," or garner instant attention. Furry black pants? Sure. Ruffled pirate shirt? Of course. Life preserver? The sky's the limit.
Or a chess piece, whatever.
After getting the attention, there is a process so outlandish it has Nigerian 419 scammers calling shenanigans. There are 3 components: Attract, Comfort, Seduction. Each component is then broken down into 3 separate steps, making a total of 9 highly detailed steps. 9 steps, no more, no less, and in order. That is the Mystery Method.
"Why, of course. What else would you use?"
It begins by approaching a small group with an attractive female. Armed with nothing more than aviator's goggles and an ironic sense of confidence, you would go into Attract by telling a well-rehearsed story... to her friends. During this time, you must not only ignore her, but occasionally insult her. You then go into Comfort by isolating her from the group. Finally, you go into Seduction by convincing her to tell you how good she is at sex. It's fair to say the system is considerably flawed.
At least the end results are only slightly more masculine than Mystery.
This step by step process was first created as a way to enhance Mystery at his first job, a magician. That's right, this shit is perfect for stage performers. Honestly, if we had to choose whether to invest our $2500 in the Mystery Method or in that gentleman from Nigeria, well, the offshore banking isn't looking so bad.
VH1 turns Mystery into more than a Method
If we were to combine all of Matthew McConaughey's movies and squeeze every bit of smugness, chauvinism, and narcissism out of them, we still wouldn't have enough to compare to the first ten minutes of VH1's Pick-Up Artist. The whole world now gets to see just how much Mystery loves himself.
A shrine built by Mystery's biggest fan, for Mystery's biggest fan
The show, having run two seasons already, steps out of the boundaries from the run-of-the-mill reality show into a tragic display of advice giving from self-proclaimed gurus. The competitors range from the 40 year-old virgins to the guys who are still heart-broken over their high school sweetheart leaving them for the third string quarterback ten years ago. We use the term "competitor" loosely in that it implies there is a real winner somewhere in there. Seriously, what is there to expect from a reality show that allows guys to name themselves Spoon, Kosmo, Pradeep, Matador, J-Dog, Rian, and Joe?
Next Season: Blinky, Winky, Dinky, Dot, Krill, Lobster, and Tim
Because no words from a normal person can describe the pretentiousness that is Mystery and his show, here he is doing it himself on Jimmy Kimmel Live! Within his five minutes, he talks about hunting women, weirding people out, teaching men a beautiful art form, and what it's like to be on top with great guys.
Seduction is fake it’s all bullshit, it has never ever been confirmed by any SCIENTIFIC EVIDENCE.
ReplyThe problem is that when most people discuss seduction they analyze it from the ethical point of view. Wait a second, all you PUA experts!
What about the basic question? Does it work? Can you prove it?
That’s a brilliant trick of the PUA, because this way (focusing on ethics) everyone is almost forced to assume it works!
There is no such thing as "seduction"! It's just a cultural label...
First things first, lets' define what are we talking about, not to fall in the mess you mentioned in your article:)
Seduction is about CREATING sexual attraction (David DeAngelo for example often repeats the nonsense that you can "create attraction"). If you picked up a girl who was into you even before you approached her, where is the seduction? How can you be sure she didn't feel that subconscious pull to you? Because she is hot and you are not? It still doesn't prove seduction. On SeductionMyth I explain genes are not the same as beauty.
There is not even 1 (one) scientific research confirming it. It is against everything evolutionary psychologists have discovered so far - genes are decisive not skills! Under tab "Reality Check" on SeductionMyth com you can find many studies that expressly contradict this basic concept behind seduction.
So why so many people believe in it? Well, apart from cultural references (tales about Casanova etc. - who was in fact a con artist who tricked MEN not women - read section about casanova on my website), the PUAs are a bunch of quite smart dudes who know how to manipulate their male customers (they only can't manipulate women!)
When they are asked about scientific background, this is the cute trick they use:
they mention a lot of research confirming VERY GENERAL concepts, like "women appreciate self-confidence in men" (we all do! we all like being around such people). 90% of their customers don't dig any further. But can you rationally draw the conclusion that because women like confidence, a man can "create attraction" with his confidence alone??
This contradicts basic logic!
Moreover, having all the money they made by selling PUA materials, why hasn't anyone conducted a simple study that would show guys using PUA techniques have a better SUCCESS RATE with the ladies than other guys of SIMILAR physical attractiveness??
Paul Janka is the only player honest enough to reveal his real success rate of ... 9,8%!
this post sucks!
ReplyWhat's wrong with the name "Pradeep"? Do I sense a little racism? Or even...jealousy?
Reply Hide All See All 3 RepliesSeriously, this article is a ranting hit piece and nothing more. I failed to find a single argument in that lengthy screed. You enjoy mocking men who have difficulties in attracting women. You wear your mean spiritedness on your sleeves. At least these guys aren't so obsessed with someone else's success that they had to spend a moment of their lives finding as many ways as possibly to denigrate someone without even making one single argument. Once again, do you have anything of substance to say about this man or his methods? Or does his success just get on your nerves? People like you feel the need to mock men with social difficulties because you're a trashy person with issues himself
I don't think you belong on Cracked, man... This website is made for that. While stats (not available from either side in this argument, this being the reason Mystery still has a job) are logical and useful, humor is their selling point. If you want social issues solved, don't go on a reality TV show about how you can't get girls.
His success CERTAINLY gets on my nerves, and I'm not even a very big Cracked fan because of the immaturity and level of uselessness.
Hmm, I don't know about the humor part, but making fun of the name Pradeep is pretty ignorant and a bit racist I have to admit.
Funny how no one is bitching about using the name Joe...
I'm actualy curious about the whole "seduction community" thing, yet I can help but think it might be bullshit. Doesn't help that no well known site has reviewed anything like that. Except Cracked, but Cracked is primaraly a humour site, right? So even then, your opinion is suspect. It doesn't help that it sounded like noone really read the book at all and are merely calling ballshit with this artical because they refuse to accept that any of these, admitedly stupid, tactics could work. THe comments that are "pro" for the book point out misconceptions which seem believable while those who are "anti" merely point things out that they may or may not know(It's hard to tell; No facts, no links, etc) and call these guys "gay". So I'm kinda leaning towards "pro" myself, but I would still like some soli evidence for either case, from guys who actually gave this stuff a go.
ReplyMost of the sites in the "seduction community" are kinda hit and miss tbh. One moment they say wear goggles and a big hat and black fingernails (unless you are a goth don't do this...) The next it says to not be a needy piece of s**t and get a little self-respect (do this!)
I actually thought the book was very good. Entertaining at the very least.
Replyum people twp words HUMOR WEBSITE. jesus christ calm down.
ReplyThis article is pure hate... Just because you guys don't know / don't care for / can't use the method, doesn't mean it doesn't work... I've had, and still have results, HOWEVER, i'm actually very glad you think it's pathetic, and hope everybody else does too. Thats more women for me.how do YOU meet women anyway?? lmao. You're pathetic...
ReplyTell watever you want. I have read Mystery's and Style's books (as well as a few other ones by other weird guys) and with some practice their method works like a charm.
ReplyAt least it worked for me :)
I'm so jealous. I really want both books.
I had a friend who paid the $2500 dollars for one of these classes and now he's not only a ugly nerdy guy who doesnt get women now he is a cocky ugly guy who tries to get women way out of his league and ends up no where.. I've talked to women after he tried to "open a set" and they think he's a creppy jerk.Know he has no chance w/ women in his league b/c he thinks he's better than them and he's out $2500. These guys are LOSERS!!!Serious losers taking advantage of poor lonely guys...It's just sad on both accountants..
Reply...those poor accountants. =(
"These guys are LOSERS!!!Serious losers taking advantage of poor lonely guys...It's just sad on both accountants.."
You nailed it!
Seduction is fake it’s all bullshit, it has never ever been confirmed by any SCIENTIFIC EVIDENCE.
The problem is that when most people discuss seduction they analyze it from the ethical point of view. Wait a second, all you PUA experts!
What about the basic question? Does it work? Can you prove it?
That’s a brilliant trick of the PUA, because this way (focusing on ethics) everyone is almost forced to assume it works!
There is no such thing as "seduction"! It's just a cultural label...
First things first, lets' define what are we talking about, not to fall in the mess you mentioned in your article:)
Seduction is about CREATING sexual attraction (David DeAngelo for example often repeats the nonsense that you can "create attraction"). If you picked up a girl who was into you even before you approached her, where is the seduction? How can you be sure she didn't feel that subconscious pull to you? Because she is hot and you are not? It still doesn't prove seduction. On SeductionMyth I explain genes are not the same as beauty.
There is not even 1 (one) scientific research confirming it. It is against everything evolutionary psychologists have discovered so far - genes are decisive not skills! Under tab "Reality Check" on SeductionMyth com you can find many studies that expressly contradict this basic concept behind seduction.
So why so many people believe in it? Well, apart from cultural references (tales about Casanova etc. - who was in fact a con artist who tricked MEN not women - read section about casanova on my website), the PUAs are a bunch of quite smart dudes who know how to manipulate their male customers (they only can't manipulate women!)
When they are asked about scientific background, this is the cute trick they use:
they mention a lot of research confirming VERY GENERAL concepts, like "women appreciate self-confidence in men" (we all do! we all like being around such people). 90% of their customers don't dig any further. But can you rationally draw the conclusion that because women like confidence, a man can "create attraction" with his confidence alone??
This contradicts basic logic!
Moreover, having all the money they made by selling PUA materials, why hasn't anyone conducted a simple study that would show guys using PUA techniques have a better SUCCESS RATE with the ladies than other guys of SIMILAR physical attractiveness??
Paul Janka is the only player honest enough to reveal his real success rate of ... 9,8%!
This guy is slightly less of a douchebag than Dmitri the Loser...er...lover. I haven't had a boyfriend in a long time and still wouldn't touch this jagoff with a ten foot pole.
ReplyI've read the books. Not all bad, actually. The accusations of misogyny and manipulation are pretty overblown and exaggerated. But that's not inherently funny. So hey, this is still worth a laugh.
ReplyFunny thing is, the people "The Game" works on are those who already have terrible self-esteem. Which also covers a lot of very attractive women.
ReplyI've hooked up with a few women who were pretty good looking, had done modelling work, and STILL were terribly insecure about their looks. (And somewhat crazy too).
The Game would probably have worked on them. They also weren't the type of women I'd fall for given that I actually *like* a woman who has a bit of character and selfesteem. Those, The Game would never work on.
Really, it's as simple as this: If you can score a woman by insulting her, she's probably the type of woman you'd want to leave early next morning, lest you'd be forced to talk to her while sober. And that would make you stab your brain out.
Clearly only AVornoff has actually read The Game. As for the book itself, it's the kind of book where if you only read half of it, you would leave thinking that everyone in there is a sleazebag and so is anyone who likes the book. You have to read the entire book to really get it, because the message changes a lot.
The philosophy behind the neg is that it isnt an insult: that would just piss people off. its a backhanded compliment. no one, no matter how secure, is immune to a challenge or a threat to their social standing. people want to be liked and admired, and the neg plays on that, even exploits it. one thing The Game covers is that the ones that the material actually works best on are smart, self-confident women, because they are the ones who will think about what you are saying and so will fall for it, as opposed to a bimbo with a short attention span who can't focus long enough for it to work.
the question isn't whether or not it will work on women, because it works on pretty close to anyone, when done correctly, it's whether or not you would ever really respect and love a woman who you attracted using such a method.
Clearly only AVornoff has actually read The Game. As for the book itself, it's the kind of book where if you only read half of it, you would leave thinking that everyone in there is a sleazebag and so is anyone who likes the book. You have to read the entire book to really get it, because the message changes a lot.
The philosophy behind the neg is that it isnt an insult: that would just piss people off. its a backhanded compliment. no one, no matter how secure, is immune to a challenge or a threat to their social standing. people want to be liked and admired, and the neg plays on that, even exploits it. one thing The Game covers is that the ones that the material actually works best on are smart, self-confident women, because they are the ones who will think about what you are saying and so will fall for it, as opposed to a bimbo with a short attention span who can't focus long enough for it to work.
the question isn't whether or not it will work on women, because it works on pretty close to anyone, when done correctly, it's whether or not you would ever really respect and love a woman who you attracted using such a method.
Yeah PUA's are gay as hell. Yes, yes, you can tell me how many women "Mystery" has banged, and I can simply remind you that if you go to the sketchy clubs in LA and find the most coked up girl there then yes, you too can try this monumental bullshit and it will work. Try walking up to a woman in broad daylight, whose sober and has a day job that doesn't involve grinding her twat into guys for money dress like a frickin' peacock and see how far the Mystery Method gets you.
ReplyReally? When did a T-shirt and jeans become unattractive? I must be living in the wrong plane of existence because I don't think I've ever had a woman come up to me and go "ya'know what would make you attractive; platform shoes, black nail polish, and a sombero". "Oh hey thanks, see usually I wear clothes that don't make me look like a gay magician, but obviously I must change my ways now otherwise that girl who blew ten other guys tonight won't notice me".
Yes, I will tip my hat to Mystery. He's pulled more women who enjoy having sex with multiple anonymous partners and have zero self-esteem, are braindead and about as clean as a Waffle House bathroom than I ever will, ever. However at least part of this is by design. I think if you look at any PUA you'll find they go to places that reward their outlandish behaviors: Strip clubs, Casino's, Overpriced nightclubs. I think you'll also find that those establishments rank prettttyyyy low on the "great places to meet women" list. If dressing like a cowboy on hallucinagens works for you, I say do it, but you'll hardly be seen as a "good catch", you'll just be the first thing she regrets the next morning when the esctacy wears off.
I just have to say, that comment was epic funny; I nearly fell off my chair!
Fanty and all the other Mystery Haters are ugly, girl-less, insecure douches who most likely have never been laid.
And thats the reason this guys bone more chicks than you could if you lived forever!
Reply Hide All See All 3 RepliesI almost hate to reply to this: it feels like I'm pissing on the monument to the most incorrect opinion of all time, and there is some shame in that.
Then why do I have the sneaking suspicion that you're a virgin?
How do you figure? DO you know his success rate?