the purpose of a Meeting is?

yeah I know we all have them in your line of work or through different situations and whatnot,but what purpose have they really served? you sit there and talk possiblitys and choices,but do you ever actually finish what you start in those meetings? also how much of your input is actually taken into account? when in school a Meeting meant bad news if you were the child and even worse news if you were the parent. Meetings can be cool if somebody offers a nice gesture or speaks kind words or doesn't waste time,but they more often than not make the ticks of a clock seem to forever stay in one place. day dreaming at a meeting is common-place and you are so relieved when it's over. Meeting and it's many meanings and we still haven't understood what it leads to???