It seems at a decent chunk of the US takes pride in ignorance.

Check it out:

Depending on the path your select, Rainn Wilson may make a guest appearance.

Overall, kind of gimmicky, but kind of cool too.

photo © 2008 Ed Yourdon | more info (via: Wylio)

1) Prepare yourself to listen.

Smart phones, tablets, laptops, e-readers — there are endless distractions that split out attention. Some call it multi-tasking; in conversation, it’s just disrespectful. Be ready to put your full attention on the person across from you.

2) Prepare to be unprepared.

Do whatever background research you need to do to be prepared to interview. Etheredge pointed out the wide continuum of preparedness from Larry King who just winged it to James Lipton who prepares stacks of blue cards.  When it came down to questions, what they ask is actually quite similar.

But only ask questions for which you don’t know the answers; it keeps you invested in the conversation and interested in the responses.

3) Get the other party’s attention with first question.

Ask something surprising that the subject doesn’t expect. In fact, this first question is the only one Etheredge prepares to set up the the entire interview.  It might just get her to put her guard down.

4) Win her trust.

Make sure you show her that you’re there to listen and are interested in what she has to say. “Conversation is the greatest gift someone can give you.”

Body language tells is telling, so lean in and make eye contact.

5) Earn her respect.

Don’t just be a passive listener. “Let them see their story in a new light” by sharing your own experiences or thoughts on the subject. Be an active participant in the conversation.

Final thought: People touch the way the want to be touched.

If you really listen, you’ll get cues from her about how to be a better partner in conversation or in life.

And there was plenty of audiovisual material. These commercials for reduced-sodium side dishes were priceless.

Rimino – A Human Touch on Mobile Experience from Amid Moradganjeh on Vimeo.

H/T John Haydon

In that event you have not run across it yet, The Pedigree Adoption Fund (in New Zealand) launched a site to match you with a rescue pet using facial recognition technology. Yes, people joke that they look like their dogs and vice versa, but now you can actually seek out a pet the looks like family.

I just have one question: Where is the American version?

The owner not only puts her dog Jesse to work,

She helps keep the talented canine in shape.

Have a fabulous Saturday!