Regarding the cost/benefit analysis, I think you are forgetting the biggest benefit you get from speaking up by far (as far as I'm concerned): Memorization. Once you speak in class, the class becomes alive for you; you may forget what others said, but not your contribution and the discussion you had. We remember only 20-30% of what we hear as see, but about 50-60% of what we say and write (that's a statistic I learned a while ago, the numbers might be wrong, but you get the idea). The class is alive for you, you delve into the material. It's the difference of seeing an event on TV and being there. It also commits you to a point of view; and it is shown that once committed to anything, there is a large psychological force requiring one to stay consistent with the committed view. You may have to review your ideas later, but most importantly, this engages you in debate. Which is where the fun is.

-- TheodorBruening - 03 Feb 2009

A note on what Professor Moglen just said:

"According to most studies, people's number one fear is public speaking. Number two is death. Death is number two. Does that sound right? This means to the average person, if you go to a funeral, you're better off in the casket than doing the eulogy."
- Jerry Seinfeld

-- TheodorBruening - 03 Feb 2009