Friday, May 12, 2006

Public speaking 101

We had a seminar at work today. The speaker gave a long (over an hour) unorganized talk on a variety of subjects that didn't necessarily fit into a neat package. His transitions weren't smooth, and it was unclear how the various stories related to each other, if at all.

The most notable thing about his, talk, however, was the fact that his laser pointer was always on. During the whole talk. He would look at the projected slide and use the laser for emphasis. If there was a picture, he might point to something on it. If it was just text, he would wiggle it around on the slide randomly. When his gaze would move back toward the audience, the laser would drift off the slide - to the walls, the ceiling, the audience.

Note to self: Use laser pointer for emphasis only. Do not blind audience members.

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

Laser pointer can double as a tool to exercise your house cat while sitting comfortably on the sofa. It might even win you $10,000 on America's Funniest Videos. Must admit my cat (or the cat whose staff I am part of) does not think this is as good an idea as I do.