You Are The Message, Not Those Audio/Visuals
by
Dr. Mitch Carnell, Jr.

     If there were ever any doubt about the importance of human communication in light of all the technological advances for message sharing, the 2001 National Education Computer Conference put it to rest.

     There were displays of every communication gadget known to man. There were more than 1,300 exhibitors.

     It was a dazzling, mind-blowing experience.

     But when you left the exhibit hall and attended actual conference presentations, things changed. The fantastic equipment was there in great abundance, but it was often used ineffectively, or it didn't work at all.

     Presenters still have not learned to rehearse with and without their audio/visual aids. "I don't know why this machine is doing this. I've never had this happen before."

     "Folks, I know you can't see this, but ..."

     Many speakers spent so much time fussing over their latest gadgets that there was little time left for their presentations.

     These situations at numerous meetings over the years gave rise to Carnell's law: "As the amount of audio/visual equipment increases, the amount of information decreases."

     There is good reason that these are called audio/visual aids. Their function is to do something that you cannot do or cannot do effectively. Their purpose is not to replace you as the communicator. Their purpose is to augment your performance. All of the innovations offer great opportunities to present information in a manner never before possible, but they do not relieve the presenter from the obligation to be in charge and to harness the technology to make a lasting impression.

     The human voice is a wonderful instrument. When this is coupled with worthwhile information, a vision of the future or motivation to be better than we are, then we are transported to another level.

     When the speaker interrupts to fiddle with his slides, examine the inside of his laptop or apologize for the delay, the magic is gone.

     At a recent meeting of the Carolinas Speakers Association in Charlotte, the public address system failed. Charles V. Petty, the featured speaker, took charge and did a masterful job. Charles knew that we were there to hear him. He did not let us down.

     When you have a presentation to make, rehearse both with and without your aids. Keep your handouts, slides, disks, etc. with you. I remember too well the year a speaker for the Holmes Lectureship in Communication Disorders, which was sponsored by the Speech and Hearing Center, spent hours rummaging through the hotel's trash after he left his slides in the meeting room and the clean-up crew threw them out.

     I am hesitant to recount the time I went to Macon, Ga., for a presentation and my handouts stayed behind in Charleston. Two years ago Dr. Donald Hustad came to speak at the John A. Hamrick Lectureship in Baptist History, and his speech was back in Louisville on his computer. I was impressed.

     The real story is that Hustad didn't need the copy of his speech. Not only is he a world-class musician, he is an accomplished speaker.

     I love all the new technology, but it is there so we can do a better job. We are still the responsible party.