Powerpoint-Karaoke
Encyclopedia
Powerpoint-Karaoke is a spin-off from the traditional Karaoke
, however instead of singing songs, the participants must present an impromptu
presentation based on a random presentation
, projected on a screen, to an audience. The presentations can come from a sampling of images collected locally or by randomly downloading from the Internet.
The name Powerpoint-Karaoke is based on the title of Microsoft Powerpoint
, the world's most ubiquitous presentation software
. In theory, other similar software can be used for this purpose. Powerpoint-Karaoke can be considered a training game that allows the participants to hone their rhetorical presentation skills with a flair for dialogue. It is also considered to be a form of improvisational theatre
or as a type of Theatersports game.
Note that this term is also sometimes derisively used to refer to presenters who face the screen where their Powerpoint slides are being projected and proceed to read them, boring and effectively ignoring their audience.
that highlights the absurdity of many presentation
s.
Karaoke
is a form of interactive entertainment or video game in which amateur singers sing along with recorded music using a microphone and public address system. The music is typically a well-known pop song minus the lead vocal. Lyrics are usually displayed on a video screen, along with a moving symbol,...
, however instead of singing songs, the participants must present an impromptu
Impromptu
An impromptu is a free-form musical composition with the character of an ex tempore improvisation as if prompted by the spirit of the moment, usually for a solo instrument, such as piano...
presentation based on a random presentation
Presentation
Presentation is the practice of showing and explaining the content of a topic to an audience or learner. Presentations come in nearly as many forms as there are life situations...
, projected on a screen, to an audience. The presentations can come from a sampling of images collected locally or by randomly downloading from the Internet.
The name Powerpoint-Karaoke is based on the title of Microsoft Powerpoint
Microsoft PowerPoint
Microsoft PowerPoint, usually just called PowerPoint, is a non-free commercial presentation program developed by Microsoft. It is part of the Microsoft Office suite, and runs on Microsoft Windows and Apple's Mac OS X operating system...
, the world's most ubiquitous presentation software
Presentation program
A presentation program is a computer software package used to display information, normally in the form of a slide show...
. In theory, other similar software can be used for this purpose. Powerpoint-Karaoke can be considered a training game that allows the participants to hone their rhetorical presentation skills with a flair for dialogue. It is also considered to be a form of improvisational theatre
Improvisational theatre
Improvisational theatre takes many forms. It is best known as improv or impro, which is often comedic, and sometimes poignant or dramatic. In this popular, often topical art form improvisational actors/improvisers use improvisational acting techniques to perform spontaneously...
or as a type of Theatersports game.
Note that this term is also sometimes derisively used to refer to presenters who face the screen where their Powerpoint slides are being projected and proceed to read them, boring and effectively ignoring their audience.
Development and naming
Powerpoint-Karaoke made its world debut in January 2006 in Berlin, as a creation of the Zentrale Intelligenz Agentur, a collective of writers and artists in Berlin. It is also known as Battledecks or Battle Decks.Goal
Powerpoint-Karaoke offers the possibility to improve one's rhetorical abilities. It is a parodyParody
A parody , in current usage, is an imitative work created to mock, comment on, or trivialise an original work, its subject, author, style, or some other target, by means of humorous, satiric or ironic imitation...
that highlights the absurdity of many presentation
Presentation
Presentation is the practice of showing and explaining the content of a topic to an audience or learner. Presentations come in nearly as many forms as there are life situations...
s.
External links
- Spiegel Article on Powerpoint-Karaoke (in German).
- Powerpoint-Karaoke on 23C3 from the CCCChaos Computer ClubThe Chaos Computer Club is an organization of hackers. The CCC is based in Germany and other German-speaking countries.The CCC describes itself as "a galactic community of life forms, independent of age, sex, race or societal orientation, which strives across borders for freedom of...
- Powerpoint-Karaoke from Camp 2007 from the CCCChaos Computer ClubThe Chaos Computer Club is an organization of hackers. The CCC is based in Germany and other German-speaking countries.The CCC describes itself as "a galactic community of life forms, independent of age, sex, race or societal orientation, which strives across borders for freedom of...
- Sample slide decks to download