This is meant to be more of a net-etiquette or style question, not as a question of "rules and regulations".
I've noticed that some topics generate long, long responses. After a certain point, usually between 50 and 100 responses, the topic has drifted, side topics come up, and arguments start popping up between commenters. Some of the threads can extend to hundreds of comments.
The long threads become difficult to follow, to say the least. In the past, I have closed one of my own topics, for that reason, and was sent an email suggesting that I was censoring the thread.
What is the consensus? Once a topic is started, is it expected to be open until the end of time? Is there a limit that, while respecting the freedom of speech of respondents, will also recognize that a cumbersome or excessively divisive thread is less beneficial and it's time to move on?
Of course, someone who wants to branch out into a new topic, can always start one.
I'm curious about what A|N members think of "term limits" - not imposed by a moderator, but decided the original poster? If the poster thinks enough is enough, is it wrong to close a topic, or responsible to do so?