Chris' Question for Wednesday

Recently as a class, we have been debating over the lectures we have been listening in on.  We have picked out our favorites and alluded on them, but we have also criticized these speeches as well.  However, we have added our thoughts and opinions on what we enjoyed and did not enjoy only on the individual ones we have heard.  My question is, how do you view the lectures as a whole?  Do you feel that through this program, the speeches have helped you finely tune your note taking, improve your listening skills, or even interest you and challenge the ideas already collected in your mind?  Or, do you think these lectures were just boring as sin with no value what so ever?  Depending on what your choice is, why do you feel the way that you do?