# request json

# controller action
def new
  respond_to do |format|
    format.json do
       render :template => "thingy"
    end
  end
end


# thingy.json.erb THIS DOESN"T WORK if people/things.html.erb exists
<%=
{
  :content => render_to_string(:partial => "people/things")
}
%>


# thingy.json.erb THIS WORKS
<%=
{
  :content => render_to_string(:partial => "people/things.html.erb")
}
%>