So, you claim to decry pickup artists and their tips, but you're giving us tips that'd help us on dates?
Ducks!
As for pickup artists, I believe that for most of them, they're looking for those conquests because they are unhappy, and that filling successful, and respected, by others, at some point helps them feel content, at which point they can settle - because they now love themselves, and thus are ready to love others.
I was trying to give a general tip for life, not just dates. But as a reply to a list of such tips, I kinda had to.
And I agree with your theory regarding pickup "artists".