Good Day,

Today seems like a good day to bring to light a "LARGE" misconception within the dating community. This misconception is all about "canned material" and what it really is. I think this is an important point to bring up, because most guys out there have no idea what they are talking about.

Thanks mostly to Neil Strauss aka Style and Erik von Markovick aka Mystery and the popularity of their books and shows we have been bombarded with "canned material" and prepackaged lines. Most people feel that canned material are openers that we get from these guru's. Things like this come to mind:

WHO LIES MORE - "Let me get your opinion on something...who lies more guys or girls?"

ESP - "Do you believe in ESP? Really, tell you what pick a number between 1 and 4?"

Cheating Girlfriend - "Do you think it's cheating if a guys girlfriend goes out drinks, then makes out with some other guy?"

That is what most people think of as "canned material." They believe that it is just pre-packaged lines from various guru's that are commonly used by new people to the dating community. When in fact canned material is a little more broader than that. To quote the man who influenced most of this.

"Anything that you have practiced or used more than once is said to be "in the can.""~ Mystery

Well ladies and gentleman the preverbial "can" we're talking about is your brain. That's right that means if you have used the same line more than once on women, even if you made it up, you're using canned material.

All you naturals out there that say I have nothing to do with "canned material" in the other sense, are actually still using the same lines. You too are using "canned material." It's true it's not from someone else's head but it's from yours. And you've practiced it and used it multiple times thus, "it's in the can."

Why do I even bother to explain the difference. Well, one reason is that the man that started most of this for us, Mystery, is being bashed primarily. Now it's not up to me to defend him, and putting himself in public light he knew the criticisms he'd face. The other reason is that to those of us that understand this concept, you all sound ignorant, and worse you pass your ignorance like a disease to those that dont' know any better.

Now before you start bashing on old Jon for calling you ignorant. Remember I didn't call you "stupid" that implies you can't be taught. I called you "ignorant" because up to this point you truly may not have understood this. But now that you are educated you can help clear up the misconceptions that are passed along. Not because it puts Erik in a better light, but because it's the right thing to do. As we have a responsibility when giving back to the community, that we do it as accurately, and best we can.

Have a good one,

Jon

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Been around the world twice, Talked to everyone once...

I would have to say that this is probably the most important point you make in this post. So I counter: There is a big distinction between using someone elses canned material and using your own. Its like plagiarism vs writing your own book. They should not be clumped together under the same banner.

I guess I'm not sure about and haven't been following the Mystery bashing. Dude takes a lot of shit for his peacocking getup, but thats to be expected. Perhaps I am ignorant... or confused. I just feel there is a difference and if someone comes up with theyre own stuff, its better than using Mysteries or anyone elses.

Also, with that being said, I dont see a problem with using canned shit from time to time. I have a kiss close routine that has NEVER failed me! Its not verbatim to the original, but its a definite hybrid. Why jump horses? Maybe oneday, but no day soon. I try to stay away from canned shit for the most part however cus it will get you called out. But if thats the risk you wanna run... I'll be waiting in the wings to Swoop in to pick up your pieces To each their own.

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Make Moves

Swoop

I'm in favor of canned material actually. I like having some "default" things to say just in case I go blank, so I hear you on that point SWOOP.

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Been around the world twice, Talked to everyone once...

How about we divide it up into 2 groups:

1) Canned material - material you know by heart but is NOT used by anyone else.

2) Clichéd material - material you know by heart that has been shown on TV and everybody else knows... high risk for getting called out.

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"A man is but the product of his thoughts, what he thinks, he becomes." - Mohandas Gandhi

Sounds good to me.

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Been around the world twice, Talked to everyone once...

Yeah great post Jsmooth. Anything does become canned material if used more than once.

In my own personal opinion I prefer to use material I have made up that is related to me personally. That way it helps to bring out my natural character and feels less manipulative (in my opinion).

Smartass has definitlely got the right idea