Given that I have just been getting into PowerPoint a lot more lately – downloading templates, giving those two conference presentations – I was somewhat dismayed, but enlightened and impressed, by Edward Tufte's sharp critique of its use. He claims that the program and the culture that has sprung up of how to properly create presentations blunts thinking and dulls the point being made. I certainly can't disagree, given that just a few weeks ago I was trying to explain some rather large cultural, existential and even religious concepts using – wait for it – bullet points.
Yes, I'm very, very sorry. On the other hand, I really do like the polish of slides, and the access to media (sound and film). I shall have to spend some time thinking about the presentation next time – and I think I'll unsettle all the postgraduates next year, and hopefully the senior undergraduates, by making them read Tufte's article....
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