They mostly died out because all the arguments and theories boiled down to:

A. Here's my bizarre theory that requires detailed analysis of each frame of the CG animation to see the vague signs that prove my theory is true.
B. But this and that in the game contradict it.
A. VIII was never meant to have one definitive interpretation. My theory is sound.
B. The game never implies anything you said in the dialogue. You're theory is Fan Wank.
A. The game doesn't imply it couldn't have gone that way. My theory is sound and what they meant.
B. That's a lousy argument.
A. It's the one that allows me to be right.
B. You're an idiot.
A. You smell funny.
CK. I'm closing the thread now before you both start influencing people.