If you want to mix it up on Fluther, should you join the thread early, or late?

I have noticed that when a stimulating or provocative question is asked on Fluther, the early responders wind up getting lost in the thread, while the later, more contemporary participants wind up being in the more stimulating dynamic. Is it better to let a thread ripen up before joining in? Or is it better to establish a position up front and be part of the founding establishment?