I think that Neil Strauss wasn't really a nice guy or a nerd and that he had a lot of social proof just by being himself: a guy who knows famous people.The book the game just paces extremely well the reality of most guys who are bad with women. And he was very good at that!When you paces the ongoing reality of another person then they're ready to be led into your world.What was Neil Strauss's world? self promotion and promotion of guys like Deangelo, Zan, David X, Steve Piccus, Hypnotica, Tyler Durden, Juggler (Wayne Elise) and, of course, Mystery!If you want to have success:1 - pace a fundamental need that isn't fulfilled in the life of a lot of people.2 - Then, offer a kind of solution in exchange of money (even if it doesn't work), and you'll get money.I threw my copy of this book away.