Thread format suggestions...

I'm a web developer and was wondering if anyone knows of better formats (or let's say "a different format") for a discussion group other than this....? :shrug: The problem with this is, one person says something (90% of the time a quote from another blog) and 10-1000 people reply... and those replies rarely get replies to them. So it's a forum for snarky remarks, basically. In real life, when people speak they get responses.... I dunno how to describe it, but it's weird, nothing like real life.... so anyway, I was just bored tonight and thought I'd ask... I might not even check back... again UNLIKE real life... just had a few rare minutes of time....

I suggest chronological if it's a serious topic discussion. That way threads tend to stay on topic rather than divert down into side issues and petty squabbles. Questions are raised, answered, then the general topic question returns to center stage. (that is, all posts go into a general thread, like this)

1. OP
2. Good idea!
3. Inane taunt
4. Serious comment
5. response to serious comment

If it's silly and you don't mind little side conversations spamming off to the side, then hierarchy threads are more useful for letting other people avoid the silly peoples' inane banter (looks like this)

1. Original post
    2. Good idea!
        3. No, your stopid
            6. No, YOU"RE STUOID, FREEPER!!1!
                8. I'm lokking this subthread.
    4. serious comment
        5. serious countercomment
    7. IBTL!