I think even off-topic threads are relevant as they are a discussion of views from THIS community--not a baseball website community. Not a cross-stitch website community. A Broadway lover's community and their point of views.
Additionally, theatre is deeply connected to our lives and the issues and relationships in our lives.
The problem with these threads is that they get out of hand. As a theatre community, we more than many should be able to communicate more effectively--shouldn't we?