WEEKLY WHEATIES #2534
Presentation Slides, Google, AI, Streaming, Historical Technology
In this newsletter:
📝 Post: What Most People Get Wrong About Presentation Slides
🗞️ In Case You Missed It: Made by Google Event
🗞️ In Case You Missed It: AI Updates
🗞️ In Case You Missed It: Streaming Updates
😎 Pick of the Week: Historical Technology
📦 Featured Product: Coax and Powerline Ethernet Adapters
📝 What Most People Get Wrong About Presentation Slides
In case you may not know a lot about my backstory… After college, I taught high school for 5 years before moving to teach adults at the state level for the last 10 years. As part of both roles (and others), I have been involved with multiple organizations for educators and trainers alike. Needless to say, I’ve given a lot of presentations in my professional career. Many of the topics I’ve shared on have been posts in this newsletter, a video I’ve posted to YouTube, or a piece or two from my book.
In more recent years, we’ve seen Millennials and Gen Z take over the workplace, with Gen Alpha getting ready to come in strong. This isn’t the post on generations, but maybe we’ll talk about that another time, as I’ve researched and shared on that topic a lot, too. But as technology (and definitely social media as part of that) infiltrates the workplace, we’ve seen attention spans start to decline. TV series are more popular than movies, and the popularity of TikTok has shown that shorter videos help users to keep scrolling.
This is where I present you with a hot take on what most people get wrong about presentation slides: the number of slides in your presentation is irrelevant.
What I mean by that is exactly what it sounds like. If you are presenting on something, you should be the expert in the room. You have something to share that those participating would like (or are required) to hear. The only limitation to your presentation should be the time you are allotted. And before you say anything, let me present you with the argument for what you’re thinking.
As part of my requirement to fulfill my degree, I had to complete an exhaustive dissertation that took the better part of a few years, and ended up being 233 pages in length. Anytime I am required to share on this topic, I can provide a presentation anywhere from 5 minutes all the way to a week-long seminar if need be. I can explain this topic to my grandmother in 30 seconds, and have written a 150-word summary, an -exactly- 350-word abstract (which you can see on the link above), a multi-page executive summary, and everything in between.
The length of time allotted to share is the only hindrance. So when presenting, I just ask, “How long do I have to share?” and fill the time (leaving extra time for Q&A as needed). Point being, you should be able to do this with just about any topic you are knowledgeable on - or at least knowledgeable enough to be asked to share on the topic.
You’ve probably been to a presentation or class of sorts where the speaker didn’t have any slides. I’m not saying there’s anything wrong with this, but in order to keep the audience as a whole involved, they need more. Arguably, we’ve seen tons of hour-long podcasts that are audio only, so I do recognize this exists and is possible. I’m only saying those are not the norm, and visuals can always help!
“So how many slides [per minute] are sufficient?” you may ask. As many as it takes… Can you cover one slide in a minute, or could you cover 5? Well, I know that sounds a bit crazy, but if we were to take this to the extreme, check out Adam Bellow giving a Ted Talk in less than 5 minutes with tens of slides. For a more lengthy version, how about his ISTE Conference Keynote with hundreds of slides in less than 50 minutes. Yes, you read that right. And this was over 10 years ago.
To do this easily, simply keep each slide to one: topic, statement, question, picture, challenge, etc. If you want to compare multiple things, you can give an overview of what’s to come, then dive deeper into each of the parts. Or start with the parts, then give an overview as a summary of what was just shared.
Obviously, there are nuances and outliers where this may not work. I would still urge you to at least change your mindset when building your presentations, and try to keep the focus of each slide to one school of thought. From a knowledge transfer standpoint, it’s easier to take in, it allows those in the room (or on the virtual call) to focus on one thing at a time, and it requires them to then move their attention to you - the person elaborating on the context with stories, examples, and experiences.
Just remember, you don’t have to read every slide; you are there to expand on what’s there. What is shown on each slide needs to be legible from anywhere in the room, too. To quote a co-worker: “Visuals must be visual!” If the audience can’t see it, it shouldn’t be included. That goes for text size, text color (remember, 8% of males are color blind), font of the text, pictures, graphs, and anything else you put on the screen!
If that wasn’t enough of a hot take, I’ll end with one more: Minimize or remove all animations. If you’re moving quickly from slide to slide, that will function as your “visual effects.” The transitions, fading in of bullet points, and other fancy animations can be removed in lieu of new information shared on the next slide.
What presentation tips can you share?
🗞️ ICYMI: Made by Google Event
At the Made by Google event last week, Google announced new Pixel Phones (the Pixel 10, Pixel 10 Pro, Pixel 10 Pro XL, and the Pixel Pro Fold), a new Pixel Watch 4, and new Pixel Buds Pro 2 and 2a. These devices all have multiple AI updates integrating Gemini, and can now translate phone calls in real-time. On the phones, upgrades include Qi2 wireless charging, and even have the Google version of Apple’s MagSafe - the Pixel Snap - allowing chargers and accessories to snap on easily and securely. You can watch the full Made by Google ‘25 event on YouTube or watch The Verge’s Made by Google Event in 11 minutes.
🗞️ ICYMI: AI Updates
In some court filings released, it was shown that Elon Musk asked Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg to join xAI bid to buy OpenAI to try to keep it as a non-profit. We’ve seen OpenAI reportedly raises $8.3B at $300B valuation as they still decide which path to take.
Alternatively, Perplexity Made a $34.5 Billion Offer for Google’s Chrome Browser as Google search fades in light of consumer AI usage. This is pretty interesting as last month it was reported that Apple is considering buying Perplexity - if they go for it. This move by Perplexity shows their desire to stay their own company and not merge (or be bought out) with others.
On a more interesting front, the Mirage: AI UGC game engine is creating real-time playable AI-generated games from something as simple as one picture. Try it out yourself and upload a picture, then explore the world.
🗞️ ICYMI: Streaming Updates
With the new streaming services available, along with the cable-replacement programs, The Wall Street Journal shares how even with the new ESPN, Fox One streaming services, there’s a long and growing menu of services needed to just watch one sports team.
Just a week after releasing their Day, Weekend, and Week passes, Sling TV Launches New Select Service with minimal programming for $20/month. There are add-on packages (including a Sports Extra) if you only want specific channels and are trying to keep your monthly bill to a minimum.
😎 POTW: Historical Technology
When browsing YouTube, I ran across the account Chill Dude Explains. The videos posted help explain interesting topics in a rudimentary way with stick figures and humor. However, what I’d like to share is the videos on Ancient Technology That Were Way Ahead of Their Time Part 1 and Part 2.
To follow technology to more recent years, the Historical Tech Tree is an “interactive visualization of technological history from 3 million years ago to today.” If you pay attention, you may see some mentioned in the videos, too. If you only want to focus on the last century or so, The Verge shares the History of Google and how they “perfected the web.”
📦 Featured Product
Last week, I shared two ways to extend your WiFi in your home. If the WiFi extender doesn’t work, or you’re unable to run an ethernet cable, there are two other options. If your home has coaxial cables you may take advantage of, consider the ScreenBeam MoCA Network Adapter. This will convert your ethernet to coax, then back to ethernet again. It looks to only work on RG6, so you may want to double-check your wiring before ordering.
As a last case option, the TP-Link Powerline Ethernet Adapter takes advantage of your home’s electrical power wiring. It converts ethernet to generic electrical wiring, then back to ethernet. However, this can be hit or miss speed-wise, and may cut out if the microwave or dryer turns on, for example. If the two outlets in use are on the same circuit (or breaker), this isn’t as big of an issue, but if trying to get ethernet to the other side of your home, I doubt they’re on the same circuit. Again, this is a last-case option and not generally suggested over the other options.
