The SSI “Plenty in Twenty” talk series is a popular 20-minute online program organized by the Systems Society of India, Thiruvananthapuram Chapter. It is based on the idea that the average human attention span for a talk is about 18–20 minutes. This concept is also followed by TEDx Talks, which are usually 18 minutes long. Even historic speeches, like John F. Kennedy’s famous “We choose to go to the moon” address in 1962, lasted just over 18 minutes and proved that a short, focused message can inspire and engage effectively.

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Research also supports this approach. A 1995 study by the US Navy showed that a 20-minute lecture was as effective as a traditional 50-minute lecture in terms of information retained. Building on these insights, the SSI “Plenty in Twenty” series delivers impactful, concise talks that are well-received by SSI members and members of other sister organizations.