I'm a big supporter of keeping the interface clean and uncluttered. Things that are "nice" but don't really mean anything in the grand scheme of things tend to take up space and get in my way of the reason I came here -- to read messages.
I'm not sure we even count how many times a message is being read. The question is, how would that "add" to the site/viewing pleasure?
Geez, as I re-read what I wrote, I sound harsh. I apologize if I did. Bed time for me. <g>