Anybody interested in this topic ought to read Tufte's essay and see his
data (edwardtufte.com). In a nutshell, Tufte's gripes:
> foreshortening of evidence and thought
> low spatial resolution
> deeply hierarchical single-path structure for all content
> fragmented narrative
> rapid temporal sequencing of diluted information (rather than
focused analysis)
> conspicuous decoration
> preoccupation with format not content
> an attitude of commercialism (i.e. everything becomes a sales
pitch)
The above is a poor way to present evidence. On the spatial resolution
point (how PP does data), here's the "median number of entries in data
matrices for statistical graphics in various publications": Science
magazine > 1000, New York Times = 120, Lancet = 46, Le Monde = 38, and
Power Point (from 28 texts illustrating PP use, 1997 - 2003) = 12. The
only format shown lower is Pravda (1982) = 5.
As to "it's how it is used" that matters, some latitude exists in its
use. But, in repeated side-to-side comparisons, PP rarely produces
better presentations. You can fill your tool box with a variety of
tools, but if PP fits better with lightweight, choppy sales-pitches, we
_can_ blame PP. Time spent playing with the Phluff options is time not
spent on something better. Tufte presents a frightening example of PP
use at NASA right before tge Columbia tragedy. Here is a clip from the
Columbia Accident Investigation Board:
".. the Board was surprised to receive similar presentation slides
[similar to the Boeing slide with all its problems] from NASA officials
in place of technical reports. The Board views the endemic use of Power
Point briefing slides instead of technical papers as an illustration of
the problematic methods of technical communication at NASA."
============================================
John W. Kulig
Professor of Psychology
Plymouth State College
Plymouth NH 03264
============================================
"Nothing is more American, nothing is more patriotic than speaking out,
questioning authority and holding your leaders accountable" General
Welsey K. Clark, 24 September 2003.
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