There a re a whole variety of reasons why I open a thread from:
   1. Curiosity (often because of an intriguing title)
   2. I think I have something to contribute
   3. I want to learn more about the topic
   4. Request for prayers and good thoughts
   5. Morbidity (the Closed and Deleted thread.)

I ain't proud of the last one, but apparently I have company in that regard...

Jerry