What is the rationale behind "asking for a friend" discussions?

I'm seeing lots of discussion threads that are posed as "asking for a friend" questions. What is the rationale for that framing? Is there some liability that is being minimized by stating that you are asking for a friend? Is this tactic similar to some of the reviews that write as if they were a dream--- "in my dream I had sex with three strippers, two soccer Moms and a midget at the club" Does either tactic have any benefits to the writer?

Of course, I'm asking this question for a friend.