Larry Lessig presents at TED: Nails it

TED put up a new video of Larry Lessig's presentation at the TED Conference from earlier this year. The title of his fantastic talk: "How creativity is being strangled by the law." I have seen many presentations by Larry. They are always good and delivered in his unique "Lessig-Method" style. Usually his talks are on the long side, 45-60 mins or more. Question: How would Larry's talk be if he only had 18 minutes? Answer: Even better. Standing-ovation better. The 18-minute constraint forced Larry into making the best talk I have ever seen him make. He nailed it. His content was good, the argument was logical (even if you do not agree with it) and his visuals and the way he effortlessly controlled the visuals behind him is the perfect demo for the way it should be done.

Larry usually stays behind or near the podium, though he is also close the screen. Nothing wrong with this. I personally prefer to get rid of the computer stand and use the whole stage. But there is nothing wrong with standing in one place so long as you are out there in the front "naked" close to the audience. Larry's style is a bit professorial (he is after all a professor), but he is engaged, passionate, and certainly engages the audience with a combination of good logic, interesting and relevant storytelling, and simple, effective multimedia support delivered in a smooth fashion. No bullet points. No off-the-shelf template. Three stories, one argument, and a core message that is memorable and "sticky." See video below.

Lessig: "A growing copyright abolitionism...a generation that rejects the very notion of what copyright is suppose to do. Rejects copyright and believes that the law is nothing more than an ass to be ignored." 

Larry's performance proves that it can be done. You too can make compelling, smart, and logical presentations enhanced by slideware (he's using Keynote). There are no excuses. Watch, learn, and share this video. Excellent stuff. Bravo, Professor Lessig.

Larry Lessig's website

Comments

[Hendrik]

I was able to attend a longer version of this presentation at the 23c3 conference in Berlin last year (it's not exactly the same content but almost). It's really impressing to see him present. Fortunately I was able to sit in one of the first rows.

A video of the presentation is also available online:
http://chaosradio.ccc.de/23c3_m4v_1760.html

[lilalia]

This talk was top-of-the-line. It (finally) made me understand my seventeen-year-old son's grey zone on copyright, piracy, legal, and illegal issues. A presentation that charges you up and makes you think long after it it over, has to be the best type of presentation there is.

[Nahu]

Damn that was good, but yeah I would have done away with the podium.

[Jeremy Olson]

What struck me about the presentation was how well Larry knew his slides and how long it must have taken to prepare.

I noticed that there were a lot of slides that highlighted words as he was speaking. The only way this technique works is if the presenter knows the exact order and content of each slide like the palm of his hand. Inspiring, really.

Based upon the transitions, I am pretty sure he was using Apple's Keynote software (which helps you put together nice looking presentations fast). But I have used Keynote and to put that presentation together must have taken a great deal of time.

[Walt Kania]

Good example, Garr, of the principles you've been emphasizing here. I notice the pacing of his visuals varied quite a bit, which is good. Keeps the listeners engaged.

[Hendrik]

Jeremy,

yes he is using Keynote. At least he used it in Berlin. You can see his Powerbook/Macbook in the video (see the link I posted above).

[Peter]

His name is Lawrence, not Larry!

[G]

^-- uh?, Ok Pete, Calm down and enjoy the show. :)

[Matt]

I think that was an incredible presentation - but there is an important aspect to remember... not everybody thinks making fun of Jesus and Bush is hillarious. In fact, for a devout Chrsitian like me, it takes away from the entire presentation. It's sad really... but all I can rememeber from that presentation is "blasphemy". Sure, I mawy be a minority, but what if i was trying to sway someone of influence who is sensitive to those kind of things... then all the greatness of the presentation is lost on one 20 second clip that is extremly offensive. Please be sure to keep your presentations as socially acceptable as possible.

[Mellor]

I'm not as bowled over by this, although I certainly give him points for breaking away from the usual. It's an excellent speech/argument, but I find the individual words appearing on the screen distracting rather than complementing or bolstering. Instead of listening to what he's saying, I'm looking at the screen and thinking about how well he memorized the script (unless he's looking at a full or partial script on the computer, which I find more likely). A too-clever presentation can detract from understanding.

[Mark]

I enjoy watching the TED videos and I would agree that it was a strong presentation. The supporting slides were simple yet effective. One thing I found interesting was the cut to the audience right near the end. Correct me if I am wrong but I don't think that is a common feature to show the faces of the audience in the TED videos yet it was a powerful image to see the audience appearing in compliance with the presenter. For me, it seemed to add a sense of validation to the argument.

[Glenn (Customer Service Experience) Ross]

Great presentation! Thanks for posting, Gar. This will influence an internal staff video I'll be creating in a few weeks.

Gar, I find your blog very informational and it has helped me improve as a presenter. I've also listed on my organization's intranet for those wanting to improve their presentation skills.

The one thing I would change is your use of the word "podium." If you're writing a book and a blog about presentation skills, where you'll use the word, you need to use it in the right way. You stand ON a podium. You stand BEHIND a lecturn. Don't believe me? Check your Latin. Is a podiatrist a foot doctor or a throat doctor? Does a lecturer make speeches or take walks?

Yea, I know, it's a minor point, but you know how incorrect usage of words detracts from a presentation.

I'll be reading...

Glenn