t1=threading.Thread(target=self.read())
print("something")
t2=threading.Thread(target=self.runChecks(), args=(self,))

self.read runs indefinitely, so the program won't ever reach the print line. How is this possible without calling t1.start()? (Even if I call that, it should start running and go on to the next line, shouldn't it?)

_{See also: What does it mean when the parentheses are omitted from a function call (supposing no arguments are necessary)? for a deeper understanding of the bug, and Python Argument Binders for a more general solution.}