Charon's Boat

Fun Lesson in Mirroring

About a year late, I've discovered a new television show, Pushing Daisies. I've read that it's in some danger of being cancelled which doesn't surprise me given that it's different, interesting, blah, blah....

I will leave the description of the show's premise to the people who created it.

Even though, the show itself has nothing to do with Mind Control or things of that sort, there was a brief scene in a recent episode which looks as though it was lifted out of an NLP manual on mirroring.

Mirroring is an attempt to build rapport or 'break the ice' with another person. What you do is emulate, not mimic, the other person's body language, posture, tone of voice, and/or key phrases as you speak. The idea is that someone is more likely to open up to someone like themselves, and if you can look and sound like that person, they will open up to you and be more receptive to what you have to say.

This works both ways. For the person doing the mirroring, by simulating the other person's behaviours and listening to their words, the listener is more likely to get a sense of what their subject is trying to say, and both parties become more engaged in the conversation and can discover common ground they can both stand on.

Back to the show. Briefly, Charlotte (Chuck to her friends) wants to discover the whereabouts of the young girl's friend. This friend has run away from home. The young girl, as becomes clear, does not wish to divulge said information, but can't seem to help herself (watch the first minute please):

Neat.

Impressive.... Most Impressive.

I saw this a few days ago, but didn't really see it. Then, I saw it yesterday, and I've developed a small obsession.

Two things: As I get older, I find myself more taken by the rare, glittering gems. This commercial, the epic story it tells in one minute, and the two subjects (in the context of their football careers) sparkles. I will restrain myself from getting into the larger point of how depresssing it is that heroic characters are seen less and less in movies and that I feel alone sometimes in wanting to see more of them instead of the 'flawed' or 'tragic' or 'anti' heroes which are popular today. Instead, I will enjoy this little flash where the inspriring and heroic shine without unecessary tarnish.

Second, the particulars: If you're not into football, the two players portrayed here are LaDainian Tomlinson, running back for the San Diego Chargers, and Troy Polamalu, safety for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Both are the best or one of the two or three best at their position.

The director of this ad is David Fincher who also directed Seven, Fight Club, Zodiac, and many, many music videos.

Finally, the music is a remix by Jay-Z of "Ecstasy of Gold" by Ennio Morricone. If you don't recognize it, you have to be joking?! What the hell is wrong with you? Get off my site and don't come back until you've *rewatched* The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly, perhaps a reminder, gentle reader:

Perhaps, perhaps

HBO has launched a new series, True Blood, which airs Sundays at 9pm. The show's premise is that Vampires have ceased lurking in the shadows and look to become a part of society, especially since the invention of 'TruBlood' has made the necessity of drinking human blood a thing of the past. There is particular emphasis on necessity since TruBlood has been described as vampire SlimFast.

The acting is a bit ragged, with the notable exception of Stephen Moyer, who plays Bill, and the fate of Sookie's (Anna Paquin) brother is being telegraphed better than Western Union could ever manage.

However, there's potential. The main theme of repression in Sookie's squeamishness about sex, Bill's struggle with his own hunger, and the larger civil rights battle could lead to some great twists and turns. The hints at magic and magical creatures far beyond vampires could also create some great storylines. And, well, there is this (skip to 1:58 if you're impatient).

Perhaps, perhaps, perhaps...