Tags are great.
yes, any thread that allows for funny tags is right up my alley...
edit: and I just posted this before I had a look at the totally dumb tags gracing this thread...
I read a thread if the title sounds interesting or alludes to a topic I'm familiar with. If it doesn't look like it's something I know anything about or sounds boring I skip it. Also, I'll read a thread if the title is ambiguous and makes me curious.
Like this thread; it's not the least bit interesting but I wanted to know what it was about.
As for threads I follow? I don't know if I necessarily "follow" any thread. But there are those which warrant regular updates like the ones Jackal mentioned.