At the risk of being repetitive, I think part of the problem is the insistence that audience members must ask questions. I don’t see why they can’t just make statements if they want to, especially if they stick to the time constraints. The panel can respond or not as they please.

Much as I loathe almost all powerpoint presentations, my heart sinks lower if we then slip complacently into “Q andA” as if this is the appropriate way for a diverse group of people to converse and process ideas.

My second cent: I have a hunch that if people sit in a circle, there’s a reasonable increase in social pressure.. a participant is much more aware in a circle of being seen by the whole room… I think people ramble less in circles…