When did academics lose the capacity to discuss their research without slides, asks Gary Rawnsley.

Picture the scene: professor X, given 15 minutes to present his latest research at a major international symposium, delays proceedings for 10 minutes as he, the chair and the discussant all cluster around the podium, trying to understand why PowerPoint is not working. The audience shifts restlessly in their seats as the chair apologises once again for the technical problems and some leave for another panel.