It's about time men were taught how to date.
My observation, as a female outside observer of PUA, is that guys are finally doing what women have done in every culture where arranged marriage wasn't practiced. Like anything, the techniques can be used for good or evil
I'm one of those odd women who's had platonic male friendships that were actually platonic, and I've known several "natural" PUAs now and had the great fortune to shadow them on their rounds.
From what I've seen of the PUAs who are going to use the techniques to manipulative and destructive ends, have already been doing so. They've already been "players" since their teen years and early twenties. They don't have "technique". They are "prodigies".
I think the average age 25+ PUA student is some "nerd" trying to get past the stage where women throw drinks in his face. He likely has been through the "nice guy syndrome" phase where he overgives to women who could care less and now is dating with a healthier level of detachment.
Guys are starting to understand that they can't just get a woman and sustain a relationship based upon one or two traits (such as money) alone. They have to actually do something. They are starting to have the same consciousness about their "market value" in the dating arena, that women have had.
Many of the PUA "rules" sound exactly like a male version of "The Rules" or the softer versions of same in women's relationship books.
Men are starting to actually think, "Maybe I'm doing something wrong", and LISTEN to the advice offered them by more experienced people, instead of bumbling around thinking they know everything.
The average woman goes through this in the dating world: we are socialized to get fixed up and be attractive for our partners, not to talk too much, et cetera.
Who meets us at the date? Usually a schlumpy guy who didn't comb his hair, has poor grooming, and poor social skills.
It's about time, and it's been long overdue, that men were actually taught how to date.