I've previously blogged about the effect that spreadsheets had in creating the credit crunch. Will presentation software drive us further into the mire? From the number of 'Surviving the Downturn' presentations posted on the web by highly self-regarding professional firms it seems probable.
For example, the following apple-pie advice came from a major global consultancy. If you are facing a market in recession focus your teams' efforts on winning new business. Winning new business creates a feel good factor in itself and undermines your competitors by removing business from them. Similarly, this drivel came from a 'world beating organisation', Banks tend to under-perform when the economy is weak: they are under pressure now.
Slideware reduces the analytical quality of presentations. Presentations usually weaken verbal and spatial reasoning and almost always corrupt statistical analysis. If you are one of the PowerPoint users that turn out trillions of slides each year and are going to give a presentation, turn of the projector. It will reduce both your carbon and bullshit footprint.
