Added: Aug 30, 2023
In this podcast episode, Mark Manson, the bestselling author of 'The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck', opens up about his experiences in the personal development industry and the rise of the pickup artist culture. He shares his thoughts on self-esteem, social skills, and the toxic nature of certain advice.Personal Development Industry
Mark Manson discusses his experience in the personal development industry, particularly in the dating and relationship advice niche. He mentions that the industry often promotes toxic advice, such as narcissism, power dynamics, and objectification of women. He believes that this type of advice is detrimental to both men and women, as it prevents the development of healthy and fulfilling relationships. Manson emphasizes the importance of treating oneself and others with respect and authenticity.
Pickup Artist Culture
Manson reflects on his involvement in the pickup artist culture, which was popularized by the book "The Game" by Neil Strauss. He acknowledges that while the book introduced him to the idea that social skills and dating can be improved through practice, he found that the pickup lines and routines promoted in the book were inauthentic and ineffective. Manson believes that the focus should be on developing genuine social skills and connections, rather than relying on scripted lines or manipulative tactics.
Self-esteem
Manson discusses the concept of self-esteem and how it relates to the personal development industry. He suggests that many men are drawn to the industry because they are seeking validation and acceptance from other men. He believes that self-esteem should not be based on external factors, such as the number of sexual conquests, but rather on a healthy sense of self-worth and self-acceptance.
Social Skills
Manson emphasizes the importance of social skills and the ability to connect with others. He believes that social skills can be developed through practice and that it is possible to improve one's ability to interact with others. Manson encourages individuals to focus on being authentic and genuine in their interactions, rather than relying on scripted lines or manipulative tactics.
Toxic Advice
Manson expresses his frustration with the toxic advice often promoted in the personal development industry. He believes that the focus should be on promoting healthy and fulfilling relationships, rather than encouraging narcissism, power dynamics, and objectification. Manson suggests that the industry should detoxify its advice and focus on promoting self-respect and genuine connections.
Writing Process
Manson discusses his writing process and how he developed his skills as a writer. He mentions that he was inspired by Bill Simmons, a sports writer, and aimed to create epic and engaging articles that would resonate with readers. Manson emphasizes the importance of practice and improvement, noting that his early content was not as strong as his later work.
Marketing Challenges
Manson admits that marketing and selling his content did not come naturally to him. He had to consciously train himself and take courses in copywriting to improve his marketing skills. Manson acknowledges that the content he created was more important to him than the marketing aspect, but he recognized the need to effectively promote his work to reach a wider audience.
YouTube and the Challenges of Retention
Manson discusses the challenges of retention on YouTube. He explains that YouTube is a platform where content creators are constantly fighting for attention and trying to keep viewers engaged. Unlike traditional media, where emotional moments and character development are key, YouTube is focused on retention and clickbait. Manson describes YouTube as "merciless and absolutely brutal" in its pursuit of viewer retention.
The Concept Behind Mr. Beast Videos and Coaching
Manson talks about his inspiration for creating transformative YouTube content after watching Mr. Beast videos. He realized that the challenges in these videos could be built around personal issues that require investigation and understanding. Manson believes that this approach not only creates engaging content but also solves the problem of coaching. He explains that many people struggle with personal issues not because they lack information, but because they struggle to take action. By creating financial incentives for individuals to face their problems and take action, Manson believes that real change can occur.
Creating Transformative YouTube Content
Manson discusses his new YouTube project, which aims to create transformative content by helping individuals overcome personal challenges. He explains that the format of the videos is still a work in progress, but the goal is to provide viewers with emotional and powerful moments of character development. Manson believes that watching someone overcome their challenges is more impactful than simply hearing advice or information. He shares that the feedback on the first video has been positive, with many viewers expressing how they were moved to tears by the transformation they witnessed.
The Importance of Character Development and Drama
Manson emphasizes the importance of character development and drama in creating engaging content. He believes that traditional media is struggling to keep up with the changing media landscape, where viewers have multiple streaming services and can easily switch between movies and shows. Manson suggests that YouTube is trying to catch up on character development and drama, while traditional media is focused on retention. He believes that whoever can successfully combine both elements will be the winner in the media industry.
The Future of Traditional Media and the Rise of Creators
Manson predicts that traditional media will continue to exist but will be overshadowed by creators in the future. He compares the shift in media consumption to what happened with newspapers and Twitter, where traditional newspapers still exist but the real intellectual debate and cultural influence happens on Twitter and platforms like Substack. Manson believes that the same shift will happen with video and audio-based media, with creators driving culture and traditional media becoming less influential.
