Borat...Master PUA?

[Hsiang-Lin]

I just saw the new movie Borat and it got me thinking...could we actually learn something from this guy with respect to social interactions and pick-up?

Despite his controversial methods, I just couldn't help, but hold a deep respect for this man. I believe he is a comical genius and even better, a courageous person.

I kept thinking about Steve Pavlina's articles about courage and how this guy must have had to overcome so many inner fears to be where he is at today.

Most people probably don't see him this way, but as someone who is trying to face down his inner fears, I can't help, but think about all the embarrassment, humiliation, and emotional trauma he must have went through to acquire the ability to maintain his composure and character in absurd situations.

I think we can learn a lot about courage from this man. Although copying him would be unnecessary and prob. ill-advised, I think we can begin to explore our deepest fears like fear of rejection, public embarassment, and other social fears. Social fears are prob. one of the biggest fears of everyone and yet, one of the most unjustified.

I've done some crazy stunts in public (well, to me) like asking 6 random girls out on the streets. This really helped me overcome my fear of rejection and public humiliation. But I know I can keep improving in this area.

What y'all think?

[Alvin]

He's definitely pissed off lots of people. I think he's got a lot of chutzpah to do the things he does and say the things he says, back from his Ali G days.

[DmitryDavydov]

Originally Posted by Alvin

He's definitely pissed off lots of people. I think he's got a lot of chutzpah to do the things he does and say the things he says, back from his Ali G days.

It's just an acting job. You have to separate how people act from what they really are.

[Scorpio]

Being ballsy and wacky like that isn't as courageous as you may think (not to say it's completely easy). It's not really you so your ego isn't on the line. You're playing a role and hiding behind a character.

[Scott H Young]

The question isn't whether Borat could pull off these stunts but whether Sacha could...

[Akashic_Librarian]

Sacha is a wonderfully clever person who is not afraid to tell it like it is and just adds that obviousness to a situation. Its amazing.

[m00j]

Originally Posted by Scott H Young

The question isn't whether Borat could pull off these stunts but whether Sacha could...

The answer is no.

Sacha is great in that he can stay in his character pretty much no matter how deep he gets. He has told people before that he doesn't think he could do all the things he does if he was being himself instead of in character.

But this is something that people can try, go out in character and meet new people, doesn't have to be as someone like Borat but try it anyway and see how far you can go!

[moltar]

Sacha is great in that he can stay in his character pretty much no matter how deep he gets.

Well, that's depends on how you think of it. Sacha himself (is|has) a character, don't you think?

[Ulrik von Bek]

Originally Posted by Scott H Young

The question isn't whether Borat could pull off these stunts but whether Sacha could...

Neil Strauss (Style) tells a tale of a character called Manwhore that he and Mystery created to help Neil speak slower. While Neil actually didn't use this character, he says it helped him gain control over his speech.

IMO what was happening in both these cases (Borat and Style) was creating a new part or subpersonality, developing it and later integrating it to the whole. I would be interested in having differing opinions.

I guess that explains the use of handles in the community.

[Lonewolf]

That's a good de-shying practice (picking up 6 girls on the street). Another one is to go to a bar or party and deliberately get rejected at least 5 times in a row. Don't be rude at all, but just savour the rejection and realise it is just an illusionary fear that exists within your own mind; then you will be in a strong position to hit on the chick that you are crazy about (she will sense your confidence and lack of fear). Sometimes you find that you can't get rejected no matter how hard you try, which is refreshing!