Is it possible to show not only the replies, and recommendations to a discussion thread but also how many times it has been viewed?

The viewer may not feel capable or replying forcefully, or even worse say something inappropriate to register it has been read.

I am a member of a number of work related Forums that have this facility. It is handy to note how many has read the article, and well-read articles sometimes have no replies especially if controversial.

It takes as much time and effort to write crap as it does a masterpiece if nobody reads it why bother.