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Realize this is a Ninja but its an interesting thread to raise from the ashes, here is my view from a lurker and occasional contributors POV
I feel the current problem is the lack of regular visitors to create interesting long form discussion on anything other than mainstream subjects; Threads will often involve a very small group of people discussing the subject- which can be fine in some occasions, but often the topic will run out of steam around 15 posts in due to the lack of new input.
There are many potentially great posts that run through here that get very few replies
Here are some examples of what posts I feel could become great, but never past 20 posts
Carters virtues post- 8 replies-
http://forumserver.twoplustwo.com/showfl...=1#Post10377950
Pryors support the arts thread- 15 replies- (Although having potential, this thread seemed to lack the bulk for true discussion, if it progressed to true discussion it could have got interesting)
http://forumserver.twoplustwo.com/showfl...=1#Post10275760
My Living In The Middle East Thread- 15 replies-
http://forumserver.twoplustwo.com/showfl...=1#Post10212154
Wytons Crime Experiences - 7 Replies-
http://forumserver.twoplustwo.com/showfl...=1#Post10182968
Mrs. Utahs Grandparents Thread
http://forumserver.twoplustwo.com/showfl...e=2#Post6919475
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The deeper the discussion, the shorter the thread, often. It's a problem that a long-forum discussion confronts every time a thread gets posted. The rare exceptions seem to be knee-jerk "issues" and sex topics.
So then you have the choice of keeping a thread light but popular, or getting really into it and having people feel that they need to gear up and gather their wits to post in it to match what's already there -- and quite often they won't. Sometimes all it takes is one or two good posts to kill a thread, as people think or fear they have nothing comparable or worthwhile to add, or would rather not find out the hard way.
So either way, it's hard to have a forum full of good long-form discussion. Good long-form discussion kills itself.