Mavens, Connectors, Salesmen, and a Social Catalyst

Malcom Gladwell’s The Tipping Point is another one of those randomly awesome books with so much information, most people will need to read it multiple times.

A few years ago I read it and just recently, I woke up and realized “I am a connector.”

Let’s rewind, Gladwell says that social epidemics (changes within society) require three types of people: Mavens, Connectors and Salesmen.

Maven are “information specialists,” people who gather and have information and who can also share it with others.

Salesmen are charismatic people who have powerful negotiation skills and intangible characteristics that make people want to listen to them.

Connectors are people who bring people together. If you think about, nearly all the people you know are due to some other person. Maybe it was a friend of a friend, an introduction, or some tacit certification that “this guy’s cool.” Maybe someone said, “oh you’re going to Chicago, you gotta party with my buddy Jeff. Let me call him and set you guys up!” or “I know Rob through Will.” Looking an the meetings even more carefully will show that the vast majority of people you know are actually due to select few individuals. Maybe Albert introduced you to Bill who then introduced you to fifty other people. Bill is a connector. I think about 80% of the people I know outside of school and work are due to about 15 connectors.

Not everyone can be a maven, salesmen, or connector; these people are rare.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Tipping_Point_%28book%29

I think most guys who learn pickup begin as Mavens. Up until a few years ago, only information junkies could actually discover the seduction community. Most pua mavens would read the books, blogs, and other materials. They would share it with others in the hopes of improving themselves.

Some, I think, evolved to Salesmen. They gained competence and skill, got laid like rock stars, and even became instructors.

I though woke up a few days ago and realized “holy shit, I’m a connector!” I looked back at the friends I had made and then realized that they all had become friends because of me. I was the binding force. I looked back at all the hook ups and patted myself on the back. I brought these people together.

And I think that’s what “the community” needs to do for the rest of the world. The community needs to place less emphasis on getting laid (believe me, there’s plenty to spare) and needs to work on developing connections for others. I read so many PUA expert blogs about the guru instructors don’t have any female friends. Seriously, how mis-wired does a guy’s brain need to be to have zero female friends?

Fact of the matter is that most guys won’t learn pickup and most PUA guys don’t know what to do with the excess girls they’re not interested in. And that’s how connectors come in to place. Think of it as “giving back,” becoming the binding force in a party, or simply the “social catalyst.” Some people might see value as being able to elevate oneself, maximum value though is being able to elevate everyone.