I think that slides can help keep people's attention and help them focus better on whatever the speaker is talking about. I personally benefit from slides because it gives me more motivation to take notes and try to get something out of a speech that I'm listening to or a sermon that's being taught. One of the cons mentioned is that slides "stifle critical thinking", but I think the exact opposite. If there's a statement that's on a slide and it's been on the screen for a while, I'll often think about it and wrestle if I truly agree with it or not.
This is a great response. I love how you mentioned how slideshows help you "get something out" of a speech/sermon. I agree with you!
Yes, I agree when you said it gives motivation to take notes; that's also how I stay engaged. I also agree when you said that if a statement is on the slide for a while it will make me think about it, but if you are thinking about the statement, your focus gets drawn away from the speaker. Sometimes it can be a good and bad thing.