A lateral-thinking technique for escaping a stalled topic or a finished introduction without answering literally and letting the exchange die. Instead of responding directly to what was just said, ask internally "what does this remind me of?" and branch toward whatever comes to mind first — generating a fresh topic yourself rather than passively waiting for the other person to carry the conversation.
Distilled from close analysis of how Joe Rogan moves conversations — e.g., from his own back hair to a Russian wrestler, or from fake baseball crowd noise to fake car-engine noise. The underlying insight: most people think linearly in small talk (comment on their own experience, then stare back waiting for the other person to fill the gap), while lateral association lets you generate the next topic yourself instead of relying on them.
Pairs well with Genuine Compliments (Direct & In Absentia) as the move right after an opening compliment, once the compliment itself has nowhere further to go.
Из тем: Conversation Craft: Listening, Rapport & Room-Reading