Who Owns the Threads?

[Valandil]

This is a Thread about Threads:

What is proper Entmoot protocol about 'ownership' or 'control' or threads? Of course, administrators and moderators have ultimate control to rein things in when necessary, but otherwise:

1. Does the 'thread-starter' have control over the thread they create - such that it's like: "This is MY thread so we'll talk about what I want to talk about!!!"

OR

2. Does a thread sort of take on a life of it's own and everything is fair game - just so it either continues along the initial lines of the thread - or if it naturally shifts into a tangential line of discussion? Kind of like when a conversation is started.

Or is it just considered unofficial 'moot courtesy' that a thread-starter be given a little leeway to take some control of the evolution of a thread?

And what does it really mean if I tell Afro-Elf, "Nice threads!!"?

Does this thread belong to me or to you ?