The exact same montage song was used in Team America: World Police.
and, of course, there's the montage sbemail: http://www.homestarrunner.com/sbemail117.html
I think your rhetorical device may be hollow. . .but I usually use it to deal with people who speak hollowly, as in they're talking to talk. When it comes to someone who wants to have a real, sincere conversation, then I use more than hollow rhetoric.
It's when someone sincerely wants to have a conversation and I have nothing to say when I get stuck. =D
Well, another potential "device" is to repeat back what the person said. I don't think it's 100% gimmick if you rephrase it, because you do have to interpret and think about what they're saying...
Do you mean to use that device for real conversations or hollow conversations? I mainly use it when I don't understand what the other person is saying.
Another device I look to use these days is to talk about an experience or an element in my life similar to what they're saying. But I generally use that one when someone has an issue or problem, but they're more looking for emotional connection rather than an answer to their problem.
I think it all depends on the inflection in ones voice as to how it is perceived another. Almost no matter what you say if there is evident dis-interest or confrontation, it will show.
I am a firm believer in how you say things vs. what is said. Makes it tough in marriage when you know someone very well and are always responsive to how something was said and not what is being said. Very tough for me to seperate.
I'm confused. Are you saying most people react to how something is said or that you react to how things are said?
And I'm guessing you're talking about the sincere rather than hollow conversations. In the hollow ones, I find that people generally don't care what I do, as long as I don't really try to have a significant conversation with them.
Half the time, even when I am sincere and deliver sincere conversation, people get pretty wigged out. One person said that I reminded them of a therapist with all the questions I asked. It got kind of awkward after that.
And what exactly do you mean by viewpoint empathy? Does that apply to everyday, "hollow" conversations? I'm getting the feeling that you're trying to address more sincere relationships here.
I think most people react to how things are said and I especially react to how things are said. This is very true in close relationships (i.e. spouse).
For me it is important in both sincere and normal interaction to be careful about how things are said.
I've been told that I come across as sincere. Maybe that works even when I'm just try to keep the other person satisfied so that they'll go away. . ..