Why not do both? Read flat (because it's faster), post flat (but respond to the post responded to rather than the latest one), and also quote a relevant part so that pure "flatters" will have a referent?

I may have misspoke. When I said that I "post threaded" I meant that I "respond to the post responded to rather than the latest one" I also make a habit of including a portion of the post to which I am replying.

I guess this is another example of arguing from the same side of the fence. I meant the same thing as you describe :-)