[Natsu]

I've long noticed something in the same vein: people who are uninterested or who don't think they're smart aren't just uncomfortable asking questions, they're uncomfortable seeing other people asking questions, too. It's probably related.

[AdleyEskridge]

I've attended meetings where this behavior was the norm. It was a demoralizing sight: Large groups of people visibly wincing whenever someone asks the speaker a valid question — even a question whose answer no one but the speaker could possibly know!

"Don't make us look stupid! Stop! Just go along with it! Stop caring whether you understand everything!"

[kragen]

Maybe they wanted to get out of the boring meeting and go back to flirting with that cute 30-year-old in Accounting, but didn't feel that it would be polite to leave while the Q&A was still going on?

[Natsu]

Unfortunately, I know exactly what you mean. If not for places like HN...