8:45 AM -- A typical phone conversation:

Sigh.

I'm so tired of these slide shows. PowerPoint is killing people's ability to talk coherently about their products and services without some graphics-laden slide deck to flick through.

I understand the reasoning behind the slideshow accompanying every damn call. The presentation helps the marketing folks keep straight on the company line and -- I suppose -- the visuals can help you to understand some aspects of the company.

But there's a big tradeoff: It has got to the point where people are so locked into their slides that it completely throws them off if you ask a question and interrupt their flow -- or (heaven forbid!) ask them about something that is not in the slide deck.

Losing the ability to think on your feet while still sitting on your arse can't be a good thing in the long run.

— Dan Jones, Site Editor, Unstrung