> From my observations (without access to the code one can only speculate), not in this case - depth is not the cause It might be depth within a certain timefr

> From my observations (without access to the code one can only speculate), not in this case - depth is not the cause It might be depth within a certain timeframe then. I've noticed similar delays previously in non-controversial topics when trying to reply to non-controversial comments. I don't think there's anything sinister going on here, there's just a mechanism in the comments to prevent people from speaking past each other in quick succession. Edit: For reference, this comment took 9 minutes before a reply link appeared, and it is the 9th child of a top-level comment. Coincidence? Maybe, maybe not. Try replying to this comment and timing how long it takes before a reply link appears - my guess is 10 minutes.