I'm truly sorry that you got nothing of value from this article. Far from being a sudden, empty insight, this is an idea I've been thinking about for years, and in fact I've told that story many times to many people (and it generally gets across what I consider to be a powerful idea).
I've also used the technique many times myself. I've run 3 businesses, and it's an exceptionally powerful tool in negotiation. Not, of course, applied bluntly like an imbecile (like the "boss" mentioned in one of the other comments), but subtly, at the right moment, without emphasising it. Letting the other person think, talk, and say what you need them to say rather than trying to goad them into it is an essential business skill. You probably use it without even thinking about it.
So, really sorry that you personally found nothing of value here (many other people did, from the looks of it) but I don't think the personal attacks were called for and they're out of place on a normally respectful forum like HN.
It is sad that your pointless name-calling now dominates what was a healthy discussion. I wonder how many people didn't post interesting comments and anecdotes because they saw your territorial markings at the top of the conversation. You should be ashamed of yourself.
I don't doubt you've been thinking about this idea for years, and have told this story to many people. It was abundantly clear from the post that from your subjective point of view, you regard this technique as having prime importance; there's no need to reiterate.
All this being said, my remarks stand. Your post reads like an uninterrupted barrage of self-praise. This idea is neither new, nor thought-provoking, and is justified entirely by your own assertion that you're a Really Effective Guy.
Your solipsism continues, with you convinced that a wonderful exploration of your big idea was just around the corner until that Onan guy came and fucked it all up, with his awful, mysteriously-at-the-top-of-the-discussion-for-some-reason, posting. Your major anecdote in support of this comes from a situation where you were the boss and the evidence of how well it went is entirely from you. Aside from us all trotting out our own tales of how wonderfully we too resolved various situations in similar and equally subjective fashion and praising you for your insight, I'm not quite sure what you're looking for here.
I've also used the technique many times myself. I've run 3 businesses, and it's an exceptionally powerful tool in negotiation. Not, of course, applied bluntly like an imbecile (like the "boss" mentioned in one of the other comments), but subtly, at the right moment, without emphasising it. Letting the other person think, talk, and say what you need them to say rather than trying to goad them into it is an essential business skill. You probably use it without even thinking about it.
So, really sorry that you personally found nothing of value here (many other people did, from the looks of it) but I don't think the personal attacks were called for and they're out of place on a normally respectful forum like HN.
It is sad that your pointless name-calling now dominates what was a healthy discussion. I wonder how many people didn't post interesting comments and anecdotes because they saw your territorial markings at the top of the conversation. You should be ashamed of yourself.