Why do people ask questions in a public forum when they can easily get the answers in private?

In truth, I used to be one of those people but I am seriously trying to change. I have analyzed my own reasons for this behavior and I have added some suppositions that I feel are universal.

First and above all is the need to get attention!

How else can one individual declare his uniqueness from the rest of the large audience? A well timed "zinger" question will thrust the questioner into the stratosphere of intelligencia and real serious thinkers.

The answer is of little or no importance. The insidious question is the main idea.

The question, most times, refers to a subject that can't be changed. Heat is produced, but there is no accompanying light, in terms of a solution to the problem. The aim has been reached.

Disruption has been caused and the fires of discontent have been fanned and fueled. The unchangeable status remains untouched and completely intact.

Embarrassing the people in charge is another sidelight to this attention-getting device. The leader or chairperson is now stuck with the question.

He or she must stop all progress and concentrate on this less than genuine riddle that has been thrown onto the floor. Ofttimes the true purpose of the meeting is sidetracked, never again to be placed firmly on the right track. Chaos ensues.

Expressing frustration may be one reason for the aggressive questioning. However, the frustration has little or nothing to do with the subject at hand. It is a quirk in the life of the confronter that causes the public cry for visibility.

To get the information that is sought, a telephone call or a note to the leader or chairperson will accomplish all that is desired. This call can come before the meeting or even after the meeting.

This method is valid only if the person truly wishes the answer.

It is invalid if the inquirer is only seeking attention while being a rabble-rouser!