# BBQ Pit=Bad Idea **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [October 13, 2000, 2:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bbq-pit-bad-idea/36749 "2000-10-13T02:30:43Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![Alphagene](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/8e7dd6/32.png) [@Alphagene](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alphagene)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2000, 9:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bbq-pit-bad-idea/36749/81 "2000-10-20T21:44:31Z")
The c-word? Really? Which thread was that? I must have missed it. I definitely would have shot out a warning at the very least had I caught it. That kind of shit shouldn’t be tolerated. My apologies for missing it. Do keep in mind that it is hard for me to keep up with every single thread here. There are times when I’m AFK for days. Also keep in mind that that thread was probably around the time I and others got accused of **over** -moderating. We can’t be all things to all people, and we can’t be everywhere at once. In the future if anyone sees any crap like that going on with no apparent moderator action, send me an email. [Edited by Alphagene on 10-20-2000 at 04:47 PM] ---
**Author:** ![stuyguy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ec9cab/32.png) [@stuyguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stuyguy)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2000, 9:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bbq-pit-bad-idea/36749/82 "2000-10-20T21:49:18Z")
(I’m about to do something I usually never do, which is post a reply without reading ANY other posts except the OP. I gotta run to a date and can’t spare the time just now… please forgive me.) So, in answer to the OP: I say **YES,** eliminate the BBQP! It is classless and juvenile and offensive. Be done with it! ---
**Author:** ![El\_Kabong](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/el_kabong/32/496_2.png) [@El\_Kabong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/El_Kabong)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2000, 9:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bbq-pit-bad-idea/36749/83 "2000-10-20T21:52:43Z")
I used to get all hot and bothered about flames when one day I suddenly realized… (blinding light, celestial trumpets) Hey, none of these people know who the hell I am, and the chances of running into them are vanishingly small (yeah, I know about dopefests, but haven’t been to one yet). Since that time, I couldn’t care less what someone calls me. And as for those who disagree with me, fuck the lot o’ yiz. Just kidding. Actually, I’m with the group that feels the Pit provides a useful safety valve, shunting some of the more mentally challenged trolls and cementheads away from the main boards. Like me. The Pit Rulez! ---
**Author:** ![Alphagene](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/8e7dd6/32.png) [@Alphagene](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alphagene)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2000, 9:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bbq-pit-bad-idea/36749/84 "2000-10-20T21:56:07Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by stuyguy \* > **(I gotta run to a date and can’t spare the time just now… please forgive me.)** Well you could always wait until _after_ your date to post your opinion. That way you could take your time to read and consider the opposing viewpoints and respond to them specifically. I mean that would be the adult, classy, unoffensive thing to do, wouldn’t it? ---
**Author:** ![Una\_Persson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/una_persson/32/346_2.png) [@Una\_Persson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Una_Persson)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2000, 10:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bbq-pit-bad-idea/36749/85 "2000-10-20T22:33:33Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Anthracite \* > \*\*Perhaps this thread should be moved to the Pit before long… \*\* A prophet of her time… 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![capybara](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/capybara/32/202_2.png) [@capybara](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/capybara)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2000, 10:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bbq-pit-bad-idea/36749/86 "2000-10-20T22:36:14Z")
I like the Pit, although I don’t post much over here. It’s nice because it allows people to hold each other accountable for/ address grievances about statements in other fora without having to drag the referred-to thread into a tangent; people get to commisserate about the state of the world in a fostering, albeit potty-mouthed community; and it is like slug-bait for the trolls and various types who like more than anything else to rant and flame, so that they less often mess around in the other sections. The Pit serves a number of important social functions here, and it belongs on the SD site only as much as MPSISMS or IMHO do (all three of which, on a grand scale, serve to keep people from subjecting GQ (arguably the most straight dopey of the fora here) to the excessive attention they otherwise might pay it). It’s not pretty sometimes, but it’s much better than the alternative. ---
**Author:** ![Diane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/2acd7d/32.png) [@Diane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diane)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2000, 2:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bbq-pit-bad-idea/36749/87 "2000-10-21T02:21:26Z")
If you stick your head in a meat grinder and it hurts, TAKE IT OUT FOR CRYINGOUTLOUD! It’s a fairly simple concept. As for the rest of us, maybe we just happen to like the pain! ---
**Author:** ![waterj2](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/858c86/32.png) [@waterj2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/waterj2)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2000, 2:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bbq-pit-bad-idea/36749/88 "2000-10-21T02:32:47Z")
No, I hate the pain, but I’ll do anything to be around Diane more often. And since she seems to like the Pit… ---
**Author:** ![SPOOFE](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c5a1d2/32.png) [@SPOOFE](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SPOOFE)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2000, 4:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bbq-pit-bad-idea/36749/89 "2000-10-21T04:12:15Z")
Ah, now in the Pit… my element… Listen, I know some people (namely, Bucky, Barflyer, Stuyguy, etc.) like to think that they’re superior people 'cuz they don’t “resort” to “plebian name-calling”. That’s cool, I can dig that… after all, ya gotta keep your nose way up in the air at those wine-and-cheese parties, right? But maybe, just maybe, every now and then you should take that big, thorny rod out of your ass and use the word “fuck” every now and then. It’s remarkably soothing, and not in the least “unhealthy” (I still don’t understand how it can be unhealthy to rant about crappy 'Net service, especially when the alternative- repressing anger- is hardly considered a positive attribute). The Pit has more character than all the other forums on the SDMB combined. So, in true Pit tradition, I offer a hearty “fuck off, you goat-felching mung-targets” to y’all, wrapped up in a box of “suck my dick” complete with a “dumbshit” bow and a card from Hallmark. (You have been flamed by _El Diddly_. Congratulations.) ---
**Author:** ![Feynn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/ecb155/32.png) [@Feynn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Feynn)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2000, 7:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bbq-pit-bad-idea/36749/90 "2000-10-21T07:25:59Z")
I not really comfortable doing this elsewhere so… fuckity fuck fuck fuck FUCK!!! (must remember to turn off the net nanny cause she too hates fucking) and fuckity fuck fuck fuck! You’re right Spoofe, I truly do feel better as it was a really shitty week. Your line: **“So, in true Pit tradition, I offer a hearty “fuck off, you goat-felching mung-targets” to y’all, wrapped up in a box of “suck my dick” complete with a “dumbshit” bow and a card from Hallmark.”** is a classic… After a week of crossing my t’s and dotting my i’s and having to be polite to the assholes I have to deal with on a daily basis the Pit is very cathartic. For Bucky & friends… I have an above average I.Q. and a P.Q. of 1:3.5… I would be happy to engage you in a lively debate and think that I could answer a great number of questions on a multitude of topics… I also don’t have a problem with tearing someone a new one if they deserve it. By putting down those people who post in the pit and by questioning their intelligence you are earning a whole bunch of pit points with me and undoubtedly a few others. Now that this is in the Pit you may get to redeem them for some fantastic prizes. Wine and cheese are great but sometimes all one needs a couple of brewskies and some pretzels. Rysad - just wondering if you know how much heat pyrex can actually handle before it melts or explodes. It must have a limit. ---
**Author:** ![waterj2](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/858c86/32.png) [@waterj2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/waterj2)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2000, 7:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bbq-pit-bad-idea/36749/91 "2000-10-21T07:42:45Z")
Naw, you can still go for wine and cheese. Just use Mad Dog 20/20 for the wine, and that cheese that comes in a spray can. ---
**Author:** ![Feynn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/ecb155/32.png) [@Feynn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Feynn)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2000, 7:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bbq-pit-bad-idea/36749/92 "2000-10-21T07:48:49Z")
WaterJ - I’ll remember that next time I cater a posh party… do they still make Thunderbird? We must offer a selection of beverages ya know… ---
**Author:** ![RosieWolf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bc79bd/32.png) [@RosieWolf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RosieWolf)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2000, 2:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bbq-pit-bad-idea/36749/93 "2000-10-21T14:05:35Z")
I dont consider this a [hijack] since it is on the topic of why the PIT is a good/bad thing. Personally, I applaud the PIT, however, a majority of members who like to open their mouth and insert foot and chew on it a while before posting their trash, should pay closer attention to what is REALLY going on in here. > [@](#): > > _Originally posted by Coldfire (in RosieWolf, idnew, Wardensu, Little Potato)_ > > Stupid cunt. > > \*\*[Edited by Lynn Bodoni on 10-20-2000 at 10:29 AM] \*\* Thought the use of the ‘c’ word when directed at another board member was TABOO??.. why no word of warning about this LYNN??? > [@](#): > > _Originally posted by Alphagene (in BBQ PIT=Bad Idea_ > > In fact we warn posters when thy start getting too personal or too nasty. **We lock the ugly ones** and have deleted the particularly caustic ones. Personal: Calling my grandchildren white trash. Personal: Calling my web sites gross, etc… when the posters complaining have no web sites of their own. Nasty: Calling me the ‘c’ word. Lock the ugly ones? I emailed you 4 days ago directly from your name link, and asked you to close a thread I started, and it was ignored. The thread has only been closed because it was reaching 10 pages and that would have made SD do weird things (your words). I even posted that I had asked it be closed, and that was also ignored. You allowed the personal insults and denigrations to continue for reasons that I can only surmise gave you intense personal pleasure. If there are going to be rules, then FOLLOW them for EVERYONE, not just the chosen few. ---
**Author:** ![Bucky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/5f8ce5/32.png) [@Bucky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bucky)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2000, 6:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bbq-pit-bad-idea/36749/94 "2000-10-21T18:20:33Z")
Tuba, I would disagree, unless “answering” a complaint is to say “well, like it or lump it” three times. I think I was pretty clear in saying that flame wars are my main objection: where did I state that I think the Pit should be closed down? Alpha, most of the research in interpersonal communication (one of the subjects I teach) indicates that after a fairly short time, if people join in seriously complaining about something, the “venting” turns to a cycle that actually leaves people more upset than they had been previously. For the “don’t like it, don’t read” responders, I would say: 1. The Pit spills over into other areas. Shifting threads will not stop that in and of itself. 2. Isn’t this a little like “don’t like drinking and driving? then don’t do it.” When we disagree with something, remaining aloof is not usually the best way to deal with it. For those who suggested that I stop whining, say fuck now and then, etc: If you know me, even just from the SDMB, you know that I have as foul a mouth and mind as anyone this side a stevedore. If you don’t know me, you really can’t say anything meaningful about me. For an example, turn to Spoofee Bo Diddly’s comments (my apologies for almost certainly screwing up the name). I suggested a change in behavior, not a mandate. Flame wars do NOT have to simply be accepted if people don’t like them. If people do, I would like a reason why they are not promoting ignorance instead of fighting it and how it’s better for the board. Bucky ---
**Author:** ![Alphagene](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/8e7dd6/32.png) [@Alphagene](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alphagene)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2000, 8:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bbq-pit-bad-idea/36749/95 "2000-10-21T20:19:09Z")
You know, I don’t have software that alerts me everytime someone types the word “cunt” on this board. And you can’t assume that I see everything that goes on on this board. Even with three moderators, we won’t catch everything. We have lives too, people. I got your email Rosie, and I _did_ close the thread. But **nowhere** in your email did you indicate that you were at the receiving end of a personal insult or that you felt that the thread was getting too nasty. You just complained that various posters were “telling lies” or “starting up shit”. You said wanted the thread closed because you felt it was “done”. We don’t close threads just because one poster thinks the argument is over. We mods are not mindreaders and we don’t see everything that happens all the time. If we see a violation we catch it, if one slips by it doesn’t mean we don’t apply our rules universally. We rely on the TM to tell us if some shit is going down that is unacceptable. I have received emails in the past from posters identifying inappropriate behavior. And I appreciate that. Everyone here benefits from that. In the future if you are the victim of a personal insult, troll or anything else that is inappropriate, or if you know someone who is **let the moderators know**. I’m going to lunch now, which means I’ll be away from the SDMB for a while. Try not to call each other “cunt” in the meantime, OK kids? ---
**Author:** ![SPOOFE](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c5a1d2/32.png) [@SPOOFE](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SPOOFE)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2000, 10:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bbq-pit-bad-idea/36749/96 "2000-10-21T22:26:02Z")
> [@](#): > > The Pit spills over into other areas. Shifting threads will not stop that in and of itself. Bullshit. That has nothing to do with the Pit itself. Here’s a bit of reality for you, genius… **people start arguments**. If there were no Pit, you’d strangely see that “spilling over” increase tenfold. Or have you completely glazed over the numerous comments in this thread about how things were WORSE before the Pit was created? Maybe you have a selective illiteracy problem. > [@](#): > > Isn’t this a little like “don’t like drinking and driving? then don’t do it.” When we disagree with something, remaining aloof is not usually the best way to deal with it. I don’t think many people get hurt or killed by visiting the Pit. I’m reminded of an old joke… “Doctor, it hurts when I touch here, here, and here. What’s wrong?” “Your finger’s broken.” The Pit is designed to be the receptacle of the more-objectionable material, and based on the testimony of the older posters, it’s worked marvelously well. People who say the Pit is the _cause_ of flaming in other forums is assigned blame to the wrong target (e.g. you have your head up your ass). ---
**Author:** ![techchick68](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ea5d25/32.png) [@techchick68](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/techchick68)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2000, 2:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bbq-pit-bad-idea/36749/97 "2000-10-22T02:15:19Z")
I can’t believe people are still whining over The Pit’s existance and this thread hasn’t taught many that this place is gonna stay. I has to. If you eliminate The Pit you open the other areas for all hell to break loose. Deal with it. If you have a problem with a Mod then use your fingers and email another one. But know they aren’t here 24/7 and if you don’t explain the concern they don’t read minds and don’t know what the fuck you are thinking. ---
**Author:** ![Kyberneticist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/dc4da7/32.png) [@Kyberneticist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kyberneticist)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2000, 7:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bbq-pit-bad-idea/36749/98 "2000-10-22T19:54:46Z")
techchick68? I’ve got to ask… I’m kinda confused. Me, I can’t stand having numbers in my username unless they mean something. That’s why I went through fifty or sixty attempts at popular sites before settling on a name that was hardly ever taken. So what _does_ the 68 stand for? One less then the number necessary for a 69? 68th technologically savvy female on the SDMB? ---
**Author:** ![Helen\_s\_Eidolon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/8edcca/32.png) [@Helen\_s\_Eidolon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Helen_s_Eidolon)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2000, 8:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bbq-pit-bad-idea/36749/99 "2000-10-22T20:00:27Z")
I like the Pit a lot. I don’t post terribly often, but I’ve always got the threads read. Maybe since I’m new here my opinion won’t be counted as much as other’s will be, but here’s my two cents: Yeah, there are flames etc. in the Pit, but that’s not the good part. The BBQ Pit is the place in the SDMB where people are most frank. They say exactly what they think without dancing around the topic, and that makes for much more interesting discussions. It is too hot for some to handle, but for those that can, it’s a style of arguing that can be very enlightening. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Pit\_and\_The\_Pendulum](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/f08c70/32.png) [@The\_Pit\_and\_The\_Pendulum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Pit_and_The_Pendulum)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2000, 8:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bbq-pit-bad-idea/36749/100 "2000-10-22T20:51:38Z")
I happen to like the Pit. So far, I’ve spent most of my time here. I don’t see a problem with it. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bbq-pit-bad-idea/36749.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bbq-pit-bad-idea/36749.md?page=6)