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PowerPoint Does Rocket Science: Assessing the Quality and Credibility of Technical Reports
The analysis demonstrates methods for how not to get fooled while consuming a presentation. Imagine that you are a high-level NASA decision-maker receiving a pitch about threats to the Columbia. You must learn two things: Exactly what is the presenter’s story? And, can you believe the presenter’s story? To assess the quality of intellect and credibility of presenters, close readings of their work will prove revealing.
We’re not all rocket scientists, but the analysis here will ring true for anyone with experience preparing or witnessing the presentation of a complicated concept that has been stuffed in to slide format.
For the good-intentioned, the format can present a number of obstacles, for the not-so-good-intentioned the format provides plenty of shelter for incomplete or deceptive analysis.
As Jeff Bezos once pointed out in an email to his teams,
Powerpoint-style presentations somehow give permission to gloss over ideas, flatten out any sense of relative importance, and ignore the interconnectedness of ideas.
However, for anyone inclined to master the use of the powerpoint deck to nab some extra VC, check out Guy Kawasaki’s rules (also described here)
Also found in this rabbit hole is a book for the reading list!
Happy Monday!
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