The biggest obstacle to public understanding of science is the overhead
projector. Max Atkinson, a professional 鈥榗onversation analyst鈥�, says the
lecturer鈥檚 favourite visual aid is much less effective than traditional
鈥榗halk and talk鈥�.
Atkinson told the conference that speakers tend to use sequences of
slides to make up for their poor oral skills. Slides are too detailed and
often ill-connected with the speaker鈥檚 talk. As a result, audiences struggle
to understand what they are being told. 鈥楾he overhead projector has become
a crutch,鈥� Atkinson said. 鈥業t makes speakers lazy.鈥� Blackboards are better
because lecturers write at about the same speed as an audience can absorb
information.
Atkinson鈥檚 analysis of how effectively people communicate started with
studies of the way politicians gain approval. He now teaches other people
to use the same tricks in their daily life. Such tricks work even on small
audiences of two or three people.
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Since developing his theory, Atkinson has been summoned to give a seminar
to George Bush鈥檚 speechwriters. He also works for Paddy Ashdown, the leader
of the Liberal Democrats, whom he has encouraged to become 鈥榣ess military鈥�
in his delivery.
John Major, Atkinson says, sounds too stilted. 鈥楬e speaks a form of
written English and tends to use archaic words like 鈥榤oreover鈥� 鈥�. Neil
Kinnock鈥檚 style is also out of date. 鈥業t is very effective with a large
audience but too theatrical for TV.鈥�