One way to solve this is to select to watch the main topics of the threads that do interest you and then only view your watched threads list for new posts.
;)
I wish that there was a "box" of current viewers on each thread.
Not sure what one would call this "Box"...and area on the screen where one could see who all is viewing the thread.
Select the SEARCH THIS THREAD ONLY...if you are currently on that thread that you want to search...Option is in the drop down list of the SEARCH button.