Image Source: Anti-PowerPoint Party.com
BY EMOKE BEBIAK
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A new political party in Switzerland aims to unite people with strong feelings--against PowerPoint. The Anti-PowerPoint Party -- or APPP -- is currently collecting signatures in hopes of becoming a parliamental party with one goal in mind. The party’s mission statement says...
“The APPP sees itself as the advocate of approximately 250 Million people worldwide, who, every month, are obliged to be present during boring presentations...and who had up to now no representation in politics.”
The party was founded by Matthias Poehm, a public speaking trainer. He claims students and coworkers who do not use Power Point for their presentations are often punished. He tells World Radio Switzerland APPP is a one issue party...
Reporter: “Are you just gonna campaign against PowerPoint or do you have other problems with office equipment, maybe office stationary or coffee machines, or anything like that?”
Poehm: “No, no, you’re absolutely right, I just focus on that topic.”
Poehm points out-- the green movement and women’s rights movements has their beginnings in one-issue parties. While the APPP doesn’t aim to ban PowerPoint altogether--it wants to give people a choice. (Video: YouTube)
TG Daily reports-- Poehm says he has a legitimate reason for hating on Power Point--it hurts the Swiss economy...
“Poehm reckons that the use of the presentation software costs Switzerland 2.1 billion Swiss francs - about $2.5 billion - by wasting the time of hapless employees. Despite this, he says, there's big pressure in companies and schools to use it.”
The party urges supporters to sign up for free--but a writer for IDG News wonders if the whole party is just a publicity stunt to promote Poehm’s book.
“One thing party members do have to pay for is the full party manifesto, set out in the book ‘The PowerPoint Fallacy’ authored by Poehm. Party members pay €17, a reduction of €10 on the regular price. So is this just a promotional gimmick?”
Serious or stunt-- a blogger for The Village Voice points out-- Poehm has aways to go before becoming a major political force...
“If Matthias gathers the signatures of 100,000 voters, he will be able to call for a referendum on a nation-wide ban of PowerPoint. The party will also be able to enter candidates into Switzerland's national elections. As of today, they are merely 99,755 signatures short of kick-starting this revolution.”
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Transcript by Newsy.
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