[dang]

> why not lock replies in such threads to being non-repliable?

People would just post their replies at the top level instead.

[00F_]

for me, not being able to harass a comment from directly below takes a lot of the visceral enjoyment out of it. but ok.

[dang]

Yup and being denied that enjoyment would create resentment that would convert into mischief.

Basically, technical tricks for controlling discussion don't really work—that's been our experience anyhow.