I usually do subscribe to comments, because if I'm inclined to comment on a post then I want to follow the conversation. I don't always go back to the original post because I get the comments in my email, so unless it's something that I want to comment further on, I don't go back just for comments. And generally I don't comment more than once per post - it's rare that I do.

I don't tend to subscribe to comments, simply because email alerts etc would drive me mad.

Instead I tend to use Backtype and Disqus to jog my memory for conversations I want to go back to.

I'm very selective in subscribing to comments. My mail is often cluttered if it' filled with unnecessary mails.

About commenting on blog, I just keep it at that. :-)

Kirsten, I agree about wanting to follow the conversation.

Dan, I'm not a fan of third-party commenting systems.

Walter, I'm selective too, although I am already fairly selective in where I leave a comment. I subscribe to comments on most of the posts I comment on.

Thanks for the feedback everyone. :)

If I make a comment on a blog that isn't too busy, I'll follow the comments so I can keep up with what is going on. But, if it's too busy, I'll usually just say what's on my mind and move on.

I rarely get into discussions through comments, especially when I disagree with someone. Doing so just turns it into a flame war and is disruptive.