I’ve long held that Microsoft’s PowerPoint is evil. No, it’s not guilt by association. Yes, Microsoft is evil. PowerPoint makes it too easy to sell complex business plans which, during a PowerPoint presentation, look plausible and viable, but, in reality are not. In 2003 Edward Tufte wrote an essay in Wired—PowerPoint Is Evil. Power Corrupts. PowerPoint Corrupts Absolutely. Matthew Lasar in Ars:

Government and industry bureaucrats addicted to spewing out mind-numbing PowerPoint presentations, be very afraid; Edward Tufte is coming to Washington, DC. The Obama administration has appointed Tufte to serve on the Recovery Independent Advisory Panel, which will suggest ways that the $787 billion stimulus program’s watchdog accountability board can do its job.

Worthy reading.