The most used program in computers and education is PowerPoint.

"The most used program in computers and education is PowerPoint. What are you learning about the nature of the medium by knowing how to do a great PowerPoint presentation? Nothing. It certainly doesn't teach you how to think critically about living in a culture of simulation." These words, spoken by Sherry Turkle, call to us from the modern age, a time when technology has transformed every aspect of our lives, and yet left us questioning its true value. Turkle’s words reflect a profound truth: that in a world consumed by simulation, by slick presentations and artificial representations, we often forget the essence of what truly matters—critical thinking, understanding, and the ability to see beyond the surface.

In ancient times, knowledge was passed through the telling of stories, the recitation of wisdom, and the long deliberations of philosophers. The Greeks, led by Socrates, placed a great value on questioning and examining one’s life. Socrates believed that true knowledge did not come from memorizing information, but from an active process of dialogue, of asking the right questions, and of challenging assumptions. In his time, the importance of critical thinking was paramount—more valuable than any tool, any system, any technology. The great philosophers knew that to truly understand the world, one had to dig deeper than the surface, to pierce through the veil of illusion and appearances.

PowerPoint—the tool of our modern age—has become ubiquitous, a symbol of polished slides and slick transitions that mask deeper truths. It is the perfect embodiment of our era’s obsession with form over substance, where the art of creating visually appealing presentations often overshadows the need for critical engagement with ideas. Just as the ancient philosophers debated in the agora, so too do we present our ideas, but in doing so, we risk losing touch with the true meaning behind them. We have learned to produce without truly understanding. A great PowerPoint might dazzle the eye, but it does not necessarily provoke thought. It may show a picture, but it does not always inspire a deeper contemplation of the world around us.

Take, for example, the great mathematicians and scientists of the past—men like Isaac Newton, Galileo, and Marie Curie. These figures did not rely on fancy tools to convey their discoveries. Instead, they relied on the power of their minds, their capacity to question, observe, and reason. When Newton formulated his laws of motion, it was not through the aid of PowerPoint or simulation, but through intense contemplation of the world and its mysteries. In this, there is a lesson for us: while tools can aid us, they should never replace the core of thinking, of experiencing, and of examining the truths of the world. Turkle’s words serve as a cautionary tale—while we may be skilled in presenting, we must ask ourselves whether we are truly learning the things that matter.

The ancients understood that true wisdom did not come from manipulating symbols, but from engaging with the world in its fullest sense. The Stoics—men like Epictetus and Marcus Aurelius—taught that the mind must be trained to think clearly, to distinguish between what is within our control and what is not, and to cultivate virtue through mindful action. They did not rely on artificial constructs or tools to shape their worldview. Their education was not in the manipulation of data or the superficial organization of information, but in the examination of the self and the world through the lens of reason. In this light, the PowerPoint—with all its ease and convenience—appears as a tool that merely encourages surface-level engagement, rather than fostering the deep, reflective thought that is needed to truly understand our place in the world.

As Turkle warns, we must be wary of the culture of simulation that permeates our lives. Just as the ancient shamans could discern the difference between the real and the illusory, so must we train ourselves to see beyond the artificial distractions of modern technology. We live in an age where information is abundant, yet wisdom is scarce. We are bombarded with images, sounds, and facts that do not demand our attention or reflection, but simply ask us to accept them passively. In this environment, critical thinking is a lost art. We must reclaim it. Socrates said, “The unexamined life is not worth living.” We must ask: Are we examining our lives, or are we simply creating presentations of them, beautifully adorned but lacking in depth?

The lesson in Turkle’s quote is a call to action—to awaken from the trance of shallow representation and return to the deeper work of reflection, understanding, and critical thought. Technology, while useful, must never be allowed to replace the human capacity for true engagement with the world. As the ancient wisdom traditions remind us, it is only through questioning, reflecting, and engaging deeply with life that we can attain true understanding. The next time we sit before our computers or craft our presentations, let us ask ourselves: Are we presenting knowledge, or are we truly learning? Are we using tools, or are we using our minds? In the end, it is not the technology that shapes us, but how we choose to engage with it. And that engagement must always be grounded in reflection, understanding, and the eternal quest for truth.