Power and to the Point

I completely agree with Parker’s views on PowerPoint. And much as I have this love-hate thing for Microsoft, I have to say that PowerPoint is like the Internet to me – can’t live with it, can’t live without it. PowerPoint helps the listener comprehend me better and also helps me organize my thoughts and keep to a ‘schedule.’ People have argued that it makes the presenter restrict himself to some kind of order, that it checks spontaneity. Really. Who likes a rambling, annoying presentation? I know I don’t!

Parker also mentions an important issue with PowerPoint: the ‘alienation’ of the audience. In contrast to these arguments, I believe that alienation and handling spontaneity is up to the presenter. Instead of using the screen notes as the main element of the lecture, the presenter can choose to rely on it only as a secondary aid. He has the choice to involve the audience proactively and create a personal feel. Previously in class, most of us chose to do our assignment as a PowerPoint presentation (PPT) instead. Why? Because it is easier than writing 400 words about yourself!

Earlier, I was going to make this post all about PPTs and why I love them. But then, I realized that I was just stating the obvious. Like in PPTs, everyone can read and don’t like being read their slides. That being said, I won’t say why we all like PPTs and just make my other point: Why are PPTs so popular? Is this why the McCombs School of Business has a core course on PPTs?!? I know. It really exists.

And as usual, I digress. Lack of a PPT? Maybe!

Obviously PPT are such a big hit. As are other mind-mapping and/or software that seemingly edit our thoughts and thinking patterns. MindJet’s MindManager is another software that performs similarly. Personally, this is the greatest thing after Google (much as I hate to admit). But as a grad student and journalist, I find it hard to remember things. So I have a mental map. But this map has been in my head. With MindManager, I am able to put this on paper/MS Word document/e-mail and pretty much any kind of communication software. Not only does it help me organize my thoughts, it is also saves me a lot of time, effort and not to mention – paper!



That said, I don’t see what the big problem is, because I like it. Sure, what works for me may not work for others, but that doesn’t mean I won’t use it or ‘inflict’ it on others!