It helps to use the tools within the thread, like the search feature within the thread, or you can click on a username and filter the thread to only show their posts.
If you truly want to read the whole thread, I've noticed some people will continually add posts of no value to me, their posts are usually coupled with someone else, so when I see their avatar or a post quoting their post, I don't read it.
You can also skim read, you don't have to say the words in your head to understand the message.
don't "poor guy" this guy!
ArcticBlast