What motivates people? Whether to speak up or remain silent what is the driver? How do you decide?

Then when you DO speak up is it of value to others or simply a way to "brush off" the questioner?

The quality of HELPFUL USEFUL WORTHWHILE replies varies from nil/zip/nada to enormously helpful useful informative. Asking questions is a crapshoot to be sure. You never know what you're going to get.