The N Slide Rule

In my job, I am expected to present at random conferences on random topics. Nowadays I am coming across this unique but useless rule of "N Slides only". I don't get it, why do they care about how many slides I use to convey my message as long as I do it in the time alloted?

I have always believed in using more pictorial and less wordy slides. This way I can focus on delivering my content without looking at a distracted audience which is trying to frantically read my slides before I jump onto the next one. if all you want your audience to do is just read your slides, then you can as well print them out and distribute them before or after, rather than standing on the podium and reading them out collectively.

Anyway, last few occasions I tried to be a maverick and didn't adhere to the conference organizer's N slide rule. One organizer actually took matters in their own hands and randomly cut off slides from my deck that they felt "were not relevant".

It's frustrating to see how wordy some presenter's slides are. Wordy slides are also known as Documents. Presentations are not Documents. Just because you make wordy boring slides to put people to sleep, don't make it into a rule!

Say no to straws and single use stirrers!

I am amazed that it is 2018, we all are so conscious about our use of plastics and the impact it has on the planet earth, and we still insist on having straws in our sugary drinks and single use stirrers!

Plastic straws are one of the major pollutants in our oceans. I believed everyone knew about it by now. If this is the first time you are reading this, my friend, please Google the impact of straws. If you are (un)lucky enough you might get to see a video of a turtle choking on a straw in the ocean!

Last week I was told off by a colleague for not taking a straw and directly drinking off the glass as "unhygienic". I was a bit saddened but then didn't say anything about it other than defend myself on why I avoid straws.

I am happy to say that, some governments are now actively planning to ban the use of straws altogether. While you wait for your own country to ban it, I highly recommend to stop using straws "as much as it is possible". Let's reduce our footprint on this planet for the generations to come!

Lost in Distractions

More than a quarter of 2018 is now over. I almost gave up on my new year resolution, yet again. And mundane life has been taken over again by the 3 biggest enemies -

• Busyness
• Laziness and
• Procrastination

I am convinced that if these three evils didn't exist, every human being is capable of greatness.
Anyway, I think the last of the new years have just gone by (Tamil new year/ Thai new year). Whatever is now left is all about getting things done!

Along with Reddit, YouTube and Feedly, now I have found a new distraction. It is called - Netflix. I stayed away from it far too long and now I have succumbed to its addiction. I warn you all from not subscribing to it. I have consumed more TV in the last 2 months than I had in the last 5 years.

Take that as a warning!