Contrasts in presentation style: Yoda vs. Darth Vader

Edward Tufte says: "PowerPoint is Evil." This got me thinking... What if Darth Vader — my favorite fictional bad guy — gave a formal presentation? How would it look? How would it compare to the presentation style of Yoda, the wise Jedi master?

   
In this horribly embellished image above, Darth tries to get Luke to capitulate and join forces by presenting in an "evil PowerPoint style." We know in this galaxy, though, that this approach never really works.

   
Size and age matter not. Might Yoda take a more "naked" analog approach?

Comments

[Splashman]

Love it.

Note that Vader doesn't show even a square inch of skin; he's obviously incapable of a "naked" presentation. Yoda isn't afraid for us to see his wrinkly green skin; he obviously knows his material.

[Ianus Keller]

Princess Leia actually does a few presentation in the first or fourth episode "A New Hope". There is her famous "Help me obiwan" presentation coming from R2D2, which is quite elegant with smooth motions.

The other presentation is when the rebels get a briefing of the attack on the Death Star. Leia is not leading the real presentation with all that 3d holographic stuff, but she does participate in it.

Both presentation have been spoofed by other people:
http://www.milkandcookies.com/keywords/r2d2/
http://www.chaseandsam.com/videos/Star_Wars_Ep_4.wmv

[Ben Brophy]

I do Luke Skywalker (Episode IV) presentations. Hastily prepared, full of enthusiasm, honest about what I don't know, likely to make mistakes. I am trusting a force I don't yet understand. Somewhat miraculously it usually turns out well.

[Keith Stoneman]

Garr -

This is tremendous. I laughed so hard - even though you state the graphic is bad - it was perfect in that it communicated the exact message intended - I didn't even have to read the text. And when I did, I laughed even harder. Brilliance.

[Pamela Stewart]

Garr:

Thanks so much for summing up years of frustration with presentation styles in corporate america with one simple visual. You do not need to read your words to get the point.

I am so glad that you are here to help the world be a better place to look at.

[Jim Oliver]

I do Han Solo presentations: Always shoot first, look out for number one until the fate of the galaxy depends on you, and trust in your Wookie compatriot to supply the brute force.

[Lawrence Eng]

Garr, great stuff as always!

I mentioned your post on my blog and kind of kept going with the whole Star Wars theme, thinking about the value of simplicity by comparing the opening of Star Wars to the opening of Revenge of the Sith. You may or may not fully agree with my analysis, but I just wanted to share what you inspired me to write: http://www.cjas.org/~leng/lainspotting/2006/02/presentation-styles-and-star-wars.html

[Diego Barros]

Darth Vader is really Bill Gates: http://writersblocklive.com/part-47

At least they both have the same presentation styles. And the same motto "Join the Dark Side" :)

Where as Yoda is more your Steve Jobs' style of presentation. Clearer and less poluted slides.

[Pakito]

Comment

Posted by: JOSE | February 03, 2006 at 05:02 AM

is completely Off-Topic and probably spam. Please take suitable measures.

[Phil]

Is this what they mean by 'Darth by PowerPoint?' In his defence, the evil one certainly leads the field in laser pointers.

[Yoda]

Powerpoint slides.
Double underlined heads.
Bullets.
Multimedia graphics.
A laser pointer.
A jedi needs not these things.
To convey your wisdom,
already have you everythng you need.
Now, how can I this grammar checker get to work?

[NathanB]

I always liked Princess Leia's presentation to the snowspeeder pilots and Cliff from Cheers.

[Foo]

Can you post a bigger version of the slide? I want to print it out for my office wall.

[Blair]

Just a question - do you have to include or do you include any type of disclaimer/copyright notice because you used Lucas Film's likenesses of Vader and Yoda? The reason I ask is my wife wanted to do the same on her blog:
http://leilani.rorani.com/blog.

Thanks, I love this blog.

[LilaSeedA]

Hi,

I liked your site. An excellent content. Fine the schedule.

Thanks.

LilaSeedA

[Burton]

Cool site. Get yourself a Google Adsense account. You can make extra money out of your web.
More info:
http://1stmoneymakingweb.blogspot.com

[the wulf]

Basically, Yoda would set up huge presentation all sorts of special effects. He'd then hand you a blind fold and some ear plugs and force you to sense the whole while pacing around a grunting. By the time the whole frusterating ordeal is finally over you will begin to lift the blindfold as you peep at those delicious refreshments that were clouding your mind as they set in the back on a table only to be whacked by that little green bastard's stick and told that you must use the Force to will them into your mouth.

[Ron]

Not much luck with Adsense for me...

[john]

What's up mannnnnn?

http://pspgames247.com

[yelolow]

Download everything you are looking for from http://newfileengine.com/

[BIll]

His introduction is excellent though and is a style many people may want to experiment with to grab the attention of the audience and make an impression, and then later slowing down a bit when needed as the presentation progresses. Also, I would like to see Hardt use a remote and move away from his PowerBook.
http://www.online-flash-game.com/

[online game]

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[Madholman]

Yoda is the best

[Oyun]

Is this what they mean by 'Darth by PowerPoint?' In his defence, the evil one certainly leads the field in laser pointers.