My point seems to have been construed as much more fascist than I intended. Nobody would be required to read, just required to wait 45 seconds or so before hitting the 'post reply' button. Again I refer to the similar requirement of waiting between searches, which I don't understand but endorse as something there for good reason.

It wouldn't be a cure-all scenario by any means; the 45 secs could be used to think about what one intends to post, or to decide that the thread isn't worth the wait and they can move to a different one. Ideally they might read what others have posted. Perhaps even the thread creator could have the option of turning the time-lapse feature on or off, depending on the nature of the thread.

I really don't think it would be a big nuisance; it would promote quality posts with genuine, deliberate thought. Might also discourage the post-count junkies from cruising through and taking up space with useless posts.

You don't have to endorse the practicality of the idea; surely most people will see it as a nice, idealistic thought if nothing else.