The key to this, in my view, is that people should show some respect for the post immediately before them.

That is, if you use some common decency and acknowledge the post, then its hard to sidetrack, and the other guys post doesn't get ignored because everyone starts to comment on what you have said. Does this make sense? It's one thing that annoys me, and I think is related to this problem of sidetracking. Sure you can say, "Yes Fred, but..." but at least you are somewhere on track.

If you ignore "Fred" and make a statement then the next comment relates to either what you have said, or some other disjointed thought that jumped into someones head when they read your post, and they just have to say their bit. The thread then goes further into oblivion if they do not acknowledge you.

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We do not inherit the earth - we borrow it from our children.