Sunday, December 10, 2023

Read the room

 If you are reading on a smartphone, use landscape / hold phone sideways. 


How fast can a human read?

The speed at which a person can read varies widely and depends on factors such as reading proficiency, comprehension goals, and the complexity of the material. On average, an adult reading silently can process around 200 to 300 words per minute (wpm). However, highly skilled readers, such as speed readers, can read much faster, often exceeding 1000 wpm or more. It's important to note that increasing reading speed may come at the expense of comprehension, so individuals often need to find a balance that suits their specific reading goals. Additionally, factors like text difficulty, font size, and familiarity with the content can also influence reading speed.

Ok, how fast can a human listen?

The speed at which a person can hear and process spoken language is generally referred to as the "speech perception rate." On average, the typical rate of speech for English speakers is around 150 to 160 words per minute (wpm). However, people can understand and process speech at different rates, and individual preferences or comprehension abilities may vary. It's worth noting that while speech perception rate is one aspect, the overall understanding of spoken language involves not just the speed but also factors like clarity, accent, vocabulary, and the listener's familiarity with the language or topic being discussed. Additionally, some individuals may have specific skills or training that allow them to process spoken information more quickly.

In contrast to reading, where individuals can control the pace, the speed of speech is typically set by the speaker, and listeners need to adapt to that pace.

Where are you going with this, Tom?

I have a friend who has a company that makes PowerPoints. If you don't know, Microsoft PowerPoint is a presentation program developed by Microsoft as part of the Microsoft Office suite. It is a widely used software for creating and delivering presentations. PowerPoint allows users to create slideshows that can include text, images, charts, graphs, audio, video, and other multimedia elements. PowerPoint is widely used in business, education, and other settings where presentations are a common way to convey information. It has become a standard tool for creating and delivering slideshows in a professional and visually appealing manner.

Here is the thing: when a really big company needs a PowerPoint, they hire my friend's company. And they pay, let's just say, big bucks. Because: they need that PowerPoint to be - perfect. We joke, maybe his company should be called PerfectPoint

It made pause and think: what is it (exactly) that makes someone outsource the creation a PowerPoint - and pay significantly for it? And what makes a PowerPoint presentation - perfect? If a big company was making a presentation (to investors, to customers, to vendors, whatever) and they feel that this presentation needs to "go perfectly" they invest in the presentation. They leave no stone unturned, they leave nothing to chance - "we need this meeting to be perfect!" [ can you not "feel" someone saying that out loud in a conference room to their team? ]

OK, land the plane Tom....

Let's do learning

Do you NEED to learn something? Or, do you want to learn something? Or, are you just 'moderately interested' in something? What comes to your mind first - do you Google it, do you buy a book on it, do you find it on YouTube, do you take a course on it on Udemy, do you hire a teacher, trainer, coach? Do you seek a mentor on it? Do you pay tuition, maybe thousands of dollars to learn it - whatever "it" is? 

And here comes...... AI.

Hey ChatGTP 3.5 - how can I make a perfect PowerPoint?

Creating a "perfect" PowerPoint presentation involves a combination of design principles, content organization, and effective delivery. Here are some tips to help you create an impactful PowerPoint presentation:

1. **Understand Your Audience:**

   - Consider the needs and expectations of your audience.

   - Tailor your content to be relevant and engaging for them.

2. **Define Your Purpose:**

   - Clearly define the purpose of your presentation.

   - Know the key message or takeaway you want your audience to remember.

3. **Plan and Outline:**

   - Create a clear and logical structure for your presentation.

   - Develop an outline that includes an introduction, main points, and a conclusion.

4. **Limit Text:**

   - Avoid cluttered slides with too much text.

   - Use concise bullet points and focus on key messages.

   - Use visuals to complement your points.

5. **Engaging Visuals:**

   - Use high-quality images, charts, and graphs to enhance understanding.

   - Ensure visuals are relevant and directly support your content.

6. **Consistent Design:**

   - Use a consistent design theme throughout your presentation.

   - Choose a readable font, and stick to a color scheme that is professional and easy on the eyes.

7. **Simple Transitions and Animations:**

   - Use slide transitions and animations sparingly.

   - Avoid distracting effects that may take away from the content.

8. **Practice Moderation with Bullet Points:**

   - Limit the number of bullet points on each slide.

   - Focus on key messages to keep your audience engaged.

9. **Speak Clearly and Concisely:**

   - Practice your verbal delivery to ensure clarity and confidence.

   - Avoid reading directly from the slides; use them as visual aids.

10. **Include White Space:**

    - Allow for white space on your slides to prevent visual clutter.

    - White space helps maintain a clean and professional look.

11. **Check for Consistency:**

    - Ensure consistency in formatting, font sizes, and image styles.

    - Double-check for typos and grammatical errors.

12. **Use Templates Wisely:**

    - Templates can be helpful, but be cautious not to overuse flashy templates that distract from your content.

    - Customize templates to suit your presentation's needs.

13. **Interactive Elements (if applicable):**

    - Include interactive elements like quizzes, polls, or discussions if they align with your presentation goals.

14. **Know Your Tech:**

    - Familiarize yourself with the presentation venue's technology in advance.

    - Test your presentation on the actual equipment you'll be using.

15. **Seek Feedback:**

    - Before your presentation, seek feedback from colleagues or friends.

    - Adjust your presentation based on their suggestions.

Remember that the "perfect" PowerPoint presentation can vary based on the context and audience. It's essential to be adaptable and responsive to the specific needs of your presentation and the people you are presenting to.


OK, thanks! Ah, hey ChatGTP 3.5 - go make me a perfect PowerPoint!

ChatGPT says: I'm sorry for any confusion, but I can't create files, including PowerPoint presentations, for you. However, I can help guide you on how to create a great PowerPoint presentation. If you have a specific topic or content you'd like assistance with, feel free to provide details, and I can offer guidance on structuring your presentation, designing slides, or any other related aspect.

Ahem. "OK, Google, how do I use AI to make perfect PowerPoint presentations? 

Good Morning, Thomas. There are many solutions to use AI to create perfect PowerPoints. Here are the top ten results: Presentation.AI.  Beautiful.AI.  Kroma.AI. Designs.AI. DeckRobot. Vennage. Pitch.  Slidebean. Slidesgo.  Wepik.   

*****

My friend's company that makes the Perfect PowerPoints already knows all of the above. And, the big companies that pay my friend's company the "big bucks" to make the Perfect PowerPoints also already know all of the above. Ah, will my friend go out of business - or will his 'PerfectPoint' business GROW - because of AI? 

As with all learning, we have choices. We can invest the time and money to learn it ourselves, or we can pay someone to do it for us. We learn things because we NEED to learn them, or simply because we are interested. Maybe we are just curious. But one thing is for certain: AI is not going to take your job, but someone who has MASTERED AI is going to take your job. Or take your clients and customers. Or win over your paying students. If you are a teacher, trainer, coach - you will soon become very aware of this new reality in learning, the new world of knowledge transfer. The new reality of Subject Matter Mastery. (Think Luke Skywalker AND *R2-D2, a team). And, I think this shall be true in 2024, and for at least a few years. Until of course, Quantum Computing becomes commonplace.

Go Google Quantum Computing. Go ahead, you know you want to.... you are....curious, right?

Class dismissed. Or is it? 

In fact, shall class ever be dismissed, ever again? 



*R2-D2 stands for Second Generation Robotic Droid Series-2, 
according to a Star Wars encyclopedia published after the release of the film Star Wars. 
I Googled it. 

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