It really does depend, as you observed. Questions that get quick clear answers might stop receiving responses in a matter of minutes, and will receive the bulk of their votes within the first 12 hours. Threads that generate a lot of discussion might keep getting responses for 24 to 48 hours. Well-made trolls get the majority of their responses for about 72 hours. And in all cases, someone may end up posting a followup years later.
To answer the subject-line of your post, "How long does a node live?", the answer is as long as the Monastery stands. Nodes are almost never wiped from existance, even if they're reaped.
Dave
In reply to Re: How long does a node live?
by davido
in thread How long does a node live?
by DrWhy
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