🧵 The Rise of Deranged PowerPoint Parties
(And Why They're Actually Brilliant)
PowerPoint parties are like the chaotic love child of The Office’s awkward presentation scenes and your funniest group chat. The concept is simple: everyone makes a slideshow about the most ridiculous, hilarious, or completely random topic they can imagine and shares it with the group.
These parties became popular during the pandemic when people were stuck on Zoom, desperate for a way to have fun that didn’t feel so, well, dull. They gave friends a reason to laugh together and escape the usual awkwardness of video calls. Now that we’re back to meeting in person, PowerPoint parties have brought their chaotic, laugh-out-loud energy to living rooms and house parties everywhere.
But how did we get here?
The Birth of PowerPoint
PowerPoint was created in 1987 by Robert Gaskins and Dennis Austin, initially as a tool to create business presentations. Over the years, it became synonymous with corporate meetings, school projects, and professional pitches. However, its creative potential remained largely untapped outside these formal settings for decades.
Early Adoption for Fun
PowerPoint shifted gears when people began using it for laughs instead of lectures. By the 2000s, as internet humour took off, parody slideshows and meme-worthy presentations started making the rounds. It showed that PowerPoint wasn’t just for boring meetings—it could actually be fun.
The Rise of Internet Humour
During the 2010s, platforms like Tumblr and Reddit saw users creating “deranged” or satirical PowerPoint slideshows as a way to share inside jokes or highlight niche passions. These funny, absurd slides gained popularity, setting the stage for PowerPoint to transition into a medium for comedic expression.
The Pandemic Catalyst (2020)
When the pandemic kept everyone at home, people started finding creative ways to hang out online. That’s where PowerPoint parties came in. Friends began hosting virtual gatherings where they’d share goofy presentations on topics like “Why Crocs Are the Greatest Fashion Statement of Our Time” or “Ranking Superheroes by Their Tax Fraud Potential.” It wasn’t about the actual software but about turning something super boring into a way to laugh and connect during a tough time.
The Popularisation of ‘Deranged’ Presentations
As this concept gained more and more traction, people started coming up with even more bizarre ideas for PowerPoint presentation topics. Think wild conspiracy theories, absurd rankings, obscure obsessions. Here are a few examples:
From Virtual to In-Person (2021-Present)
As life slowly returned to normal, PowerPoint parties made the jump from online to in-person. Friends started bringing their slideshows to house parties, turning living rooms into mini stages. Whether it was for birthdays, bachelorette parties, or just a casual night in, the mix of laughs, storytelling, and a little friendly competition made them an instant favourite.
Media Attention and Cultural Impact
Media quickly zoomed in on this trend and some major outlets like The Wall Street Journal, Polygon, and Apartment Therapy began writing about PowerPoint parties. On TikTok and Instagram, people started sharing clips of their wild presentations, spreading the idea even further and inspiring others to jump on the bandwagon.
A New Creative Subculture
PowerPoint parties have grown far beyond their pandemic roots. They’ve become a creative subculture where people share their humour, dive into niche interests, and bond over shared laughs. From “Deranged PowerPoint Night” gatherings to viral TikToks, these parties have solidified their spot as a fun and easy way to bring people together.
P.S. Here are some rules and tips on how to host PowerPoint parties with your friends. If you try it out, please share it with us—we’d love to spotlight your creations!
