Could you, please, change current forum design to a classic one, with pages and topic hierarchy? (like, for example, you have before the disqus).
I feel, the classic approach is the “golden example” on how the information should be structured: it is easy to “digest” and provides you the mental ANCHOR - your location in this information cube.
Have you guys ever heard about mind maps? Or buddhistic MANDALAS?
My point is - the easier information to get - the better is the user’s engagement.
Humankind invented the lot of tricks on how to get all the info in your head the easiest way possible - let’s use this heritage!
Current design is one-dimensional and “flat”, mentally speaking. It gives that existentional claustraphobic feel most of people are already got used to it, which is sad. But YOU, devs, could make a difference!