This is to a certain extent based on a misconception. First, 'negging' is simply one tactic in the arsenal of the PUA, although in the present circulation it receives a good deal of prominence due to its counter-intuitive nature and the legions of doltish would-be PUAs that run around 'negging' people since they don't have any other social skills. Sadly, here, as elsewhere, the audience which is most likely to get into the "Game" most completely are those that have the lowest prospects to start with, and a few tricks are not going to change someone with no social skills into Prince Charming in a matter of sessions.

That said, although I have more or less agreed with you with regards to the 'social stunted' part (as a generalization) 'negging' is not particularly targeted at the emotionally damaged who respond to being put down. It is a tactic charged at the supremely confident, attractive girl who is used to blowing off guys who approach her. The 'neg' is, consequently, first and foremost, an expression of confidence by the person who is approaching her. He is not approaching her as a fawning wretch, but someone who thinks of himself as her equal or even superior.

That this can be a turn on of sorts, esp. when contrasted with the usual types of social interaction encountered by very attractive women at bars and clubs, should be obvious. That the usual types of social interaction at bars and clubs are far from ideal or normative is hopefully also understood.

Negging is like that story of a visitor to the Apple campus who saw Steve Jobs walking by and didn't recognize him, and called out "hey, can you take a picture for me?"

That initial shock at the lack of deference allowed that person to have more of an interaction than most people got.

You are welcome to judge from behind the monitor but if you actually went out and looked at reality, you'd realize there is nothing magical about negs and that negs themselves won't get you a girl--whether emotionally damaged or not. It could in certain cases help you increase attraction a wee bit. In that sense, it isn't much different than tips we read about pitching to VCs etc.

I guess the thing that people don't like about it is the part where you insult people you don't know for selfish reasons? I mean maybe that's part of it?

> In that sense, it isn't much different than tips we read about pitching to VCs etc.

Except for the moral aspect, which PUAs seem dead-set on ignoring.

That's a fair point. To that I would say once you lift the curtains and take a peek, you will find many different school of thoughts within this. Some of the most famous personalities and ideas about PUAs in the mainstream isn't even very popular inside the PUA community.

On the other hand, there are entire "systems" that are premised on being dead honest about your intention.

Are emotionally damaged people not supposed to have sex?

You aren't supposed to take advantage of their damage to have sex with them.

If someone consents, it presumably means they deem the exchange to be mutually beneficial, so I don't know how you could determine some cases to be "taking advantage."

If you take advantage of someone's ignorance to sell them snake oil, they may think (for a while) that the exchange was mutually beneficial, but you're still evil.

If you lie about what you're selling, then that's fraud.

Um, yes. It doesn't have to be fraud to be wrong.

But my point is that in the snake-oil analogy, the only reason it's wrong is because the salesperson lies about the benefits of the oil.

The PUA is lying about the benefits of sleeping with them.

What benefits are PUAs supposedly promising and not delivering on?

So, what precisely is the snake oil as it relates to PUAs meeting women?

You.

To be more specific if snake oil really did solve the world's problems snake oil salesmen would still be snake oil salesmen. They are trying to get something by convincing others of a thing whether or not it is true.

So you have a problem with salesmen in general?

Maybe? Anyways I'm mostly commenting on what others may perceive. This is the best explanation I can come up with. I'd honestly rather judge actions based on what happens rather than what was intended to happen. Even if the attitude pisses me off.

That giving the PUA what they want will make them happier.

What specifically do you find evil?

That is a cute talking point, but does it have much to do with reality? Not really.

In pick up artistry, the goal is to be and act like a natural. Sometimes there are a lot of silly hoops on the way and it does not work for everyone, but it does work in the end.