It varies, but you're both right. Depends on the sub, depends on the post. In terms of the userface here on kbin, what I see lacking is a way to make a chain disappear because that mini-thread doesn't interest me. Old.reddit would let you collapse a particular comment thread, or make all child comments hidden unless called for.
-first post. Fuck you spez, for ruining reddit for me because you wanted to fuck the apps that built your site, and 5% of your users still enjoy.