I mean, over the years I've done most of the crap in this "nice guys" essay, listened to the nonsense, accepted the platonic hugs but at least I had the balls to admit it was because I was a coward more than she was a devil woman pulling my strings like a master puppeteer towards whatever vindictive end she had in mind. Nice guys don't finish last, guys who obsess over women who are obviously not interested (and obviously never will be) not only finish last but do so because they're deliberately saboutaging their own efforts.
Short version: If anyone finds themselves paying any heed to that pile of crap you might want to consider going through that last bit of puberty you've obviously been putting off and grow a pair before talking to someone who doesn't see you as a friend.