In Montreal, a new PowerPoint concept know as Pecha Kucha (originally from Japan) is gaining ground. Here is the basic thrust according to a story in Today’s CanWest News Service:

“First, a slideshow must consist of 20 slides that last 20 seconds each, for a total presentation time of six minutes and 40 seconds. No more, no less.”

I have to say, this is one of the worst ideas I have ever heard of. It brings instant image of Lucy and Ethel trying to work the conveyer belt at a factory and making a huge mess of things. I love technology, but technology should never run the show. Your ideas, your messages, your stories, followed by your images—that should be the speaker’s focus.