There's a dilemma. People don't like to see word slides, but it is more effective for people to both hear and read the main points the speaker is trying to make, rather than just try to remember what they heard.

So at the least, there needs to be an intro slide with words saying where the talk is going, and a conclusion slide arguing what speaker is supposed to believe and remember.

I think the most entertaining talks sometimes distract the audience from the logic and critical evaluation of the science. However, since AGU is 5 straight days of 15 minutes, there is certainly value in having a sampling of entertaining talks.

Posters are another story.

John