Jessica J’s PowerPoint Predicament

Most all of us have experienced the terror of walking in to a presentation and being faced with yet another tedious PowerPoint presentation staring out into the crowd with monotonous rage. Despite this terrible feeling that we have all suffered through, each time we are assigned a presentation, our first instinct is to run into the warm and loving arms of our “frenemy,” Mr. PowerPoint. I can’t help but wonder, where is the line being drawn between loving and hating this electronic presentation fabricator? The truth of the matter is, PowerPoint is not a force of darkness, nor is it a power of good; rather it is a weapon that can be wielded by either side.

As a tool of darkness, PowerPoint functions in the following ways:

• PowerPoint is pure evil when it is substituted for an entire presentation.

** Remember, PowerPoint is a presentation tool, and should be used as a supplement rather than a substitute.

• Although a PowerPoint filled with the colors of the rainbow may seem like a force of goodness, it is merely evil in a cuter outfit.

** Using color appropriately can make for a better presentation, but please proceed with caution.

• Testing out different animations and transitions on PowerPoint is a great tool for procrastination, but it should be noted that it is also a fantastically awful way to waste your audience’s time.

** If the above was not clear enough, I am talking to you Mr. Having Every Letter Appear One At A Time Man.

• PowerPoint is a co-dependent being, relying heavily (okay, pretty much exclusively) on a working computer and power source.

** It is impossible to predict freak technology mishaps, so don’t fall prey to unhealthy relationship with PowerPoint that put you in the position to forget that you are the real presenter.

Have no fear PowerPoint enthusiasts, there are two sides to every story. If PowerPoint was truly only evil, surely Puffy the Presentation Slayer would have hit ESC by now. Here are some of the ways PowerPoint can save the day:

• PowerPoint can be a silent echo highlighting the key points in a presentation.

** Remember, highlighting key points is not the same as actually giving the presentation. Don’t believe me? Check out this version of the Gettysburg Address: http://norvig.com/Gettysburg/

• Giving presentations can be stressful; PowerPoint can serve as a good friend to hold your hand.

** PowerPoint can give you reminders of where you planned your presentation to go when you were creating it in the comfort of your living room.

• PowerPoint is both accessible and user friendly.

** A degree in computer science, or even a magic wand, is not required to get your point across.

• As horrible as it is to sit through a bad PowerPoint presentation, the feeling after walking away from a concise and interesting PowerPoint cannot be beat.

** The next time you’re creating a PowerPoint, remember to make one you would enjoy sitting through.

As our culture becomes increasingly more technologically savvy, tools like PowerPoint continue to become more commonplace. Simply remember: the choice of joining the light side or siding with darkness resides in each and every one of us.