Are Pickup Artists and Social Media Influencers just running the same game?

In this episode of Landline, Inga Headland breaks down the uncanny similarities between PUA (Pickup Artist) tactics and social media growth hacks—and what that says about the way we interact online.

From negging and peacocking to clout-chasing and engagement bait, both worlds thrive on manipulation, validation, and the illusion of connection. So, if social media is just a pickup game for attention, how do we break free from it?

Inside This Episode:

The shady overlap between PUA strategies and social media algorithms

Why chasing likes, followers & validation leads to spiritual emptiness

The "hungry ghost" phenomenon—why we’re never truly satisfied

How performative behavior online & offline makes us cringe at ourselves

Breaking the cycle—is real connection still possible?

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