No no no. You got it backwards. THIS thread is locked. The threads that were merged into it were unlocked prior to the merge, but were locked when this one was locked. It must have been for efficiency. Why have two locked threads when you can simply merge them and lock em both at the same time.
Some maybe wondering why we are able to be here now, discussing the locking or unlocking of this thread if the thread is locked. There are two possibilities.
Possibilty 1. This thread is locked in a quantum superposition with another reality where this thread remains unlocked. We are in the real reality where this thread is locked, but somehow the quantum superposition entanglement effect lets us post here in a parallel dimension. i checked the box i left my cat in. Its dead, so that must mean my cat is alive in this strange parallel universe. If anyone on the other side where this thread is unlocked sees my cat running around, please return him to my dimension.
Possibilty 2. This thread is not real. Therefore it can be locked for some of us and unlocked for others. If this is the case, it is impossible to really lock or unlock this thread without first realizing the truth....there is no thread. Its all in your head.
Im hoping its number 1 cuz I want my cat back.