Different strokes... It all depends on what you want. You can (and should) do all the things the OP listed, while still getting involved in relationships, companionship, etc. Actually, that's the best way to do it.
I think there's a fine line between caring too much, and not at all. You don't want to do all these things for women (ie, having game, being independent, putting yourself first), or making that your end-goal; your top priority. If you do everything for women - including not putting women first, as part of your "game", to attract women (oh, the irony) - then yea, you're still a chump... You'll still take rejection personally, allow others to determine your worth, have an approval-seeking mindset, etc. This is no good, and you'll slip right back into old patterns of being depressed when things don't work out, or this or that person doesn't like you...
I think a lot of people do these things as a result of their own issues and insecurities - which never really go away... they just take different forms. Like the nice guy who becomes a jerk solely to attract women. All of those core issues are still there, and running the whole show. And you (still) feel like ****, have no self-esteem, and end up attracting dysfunctional losers as a result.
You have to genuinely not care, seek other people's approval, try to win them over, tolerate disrespect, be a co-dependant, insecure, desperate, needy doormat, and so forth. This is the natural way you should be - with everyone. That doesn't mean you don't care about other people, view them as objects, or become a selfish prick... Quite the opposite. It's just respecting and being content with (and by) yourself. Which just so happens to attract other people in a healthy way. This is normal.
Too many extremes are being thrown around. You CAN not care about rejection, what others think, or focusing solely on appeasing to or attracting others - while still looking for relationships, falling in love, raising a family, having friendships, or whatever. It's not either or.
But again, it all depends on what you want. There is no right or wrong. Do what YOU want. Just go ABOUT it the right way.
I do find it ironic, though. All these people against society's rules, and the way it's forced upon others as the way to be - are doing the EXACT same thing with their "rules". This is the way you should be, a true DJ is this / that, you have to not do this / that... Same ****, opposite path. Kiss my ass. :cheer: