I don’t really care about this topic one way or the other, but come on. This was answered quite clearly, cogently, and convincingly already.
I guess this is where we semantically go in circles.
I agree that threads of other members go in the pit. But I don’t agree that all threads about another poster are pitting them, merely because they’re in the pit. It is, and was, a poll. But polls don’t go in the pit. Only pits go in the pit and therefore if its in the pit it’s pitting someone. We could argue in circles on this…well, for as long as the Paterno thread, frankly.
So…the exact same thing that we were doing in IMHO before polls were implemented, at which point people began posting polls that either a) garnered a great deal of discussion and interest or b) sank to the great beyond? Yeah, I can see how that would be just terrible. Or wait - no! It would actually be a good idea that enhanced the function of starting a thread!
This is total nonsense. The poll that Enderw24 started was fine. It might have made it a bit more useful to make it public so as to make people accountable for calling out Starving Artist - so just require polls in the Pit to be public.
Jesus Christ. Instead of starting this thread why not just a new one in the Pit? Or e-mail Idle Thoughts. Fuck.
I believe I said there may be some people for whom this may be the case in response to a poster who said no one else agreed with me, but by and large I’m not particular concerned with whether other people agree with me or not, or with persuading my opponents that other people do agree with me. It’s a subject where many people seem to sacrifice logic to emotion and I’m content to stand on the facts and let the chips fall where they may as to who may or may not choose to be “on my side.”
(rest snipped)
Not in IMHO, it wasn’t…and polling is not enabled in the Pit.
In the future, please try to wipe the “facts” off your shoes before you go traipsing across our carpet.
A better question is, why NOT have polls in every forum? With the singular exception of GQ, polls would be appropriate in them all. And truthfully, I hope there is a better answer than, “That’s how it always has been, so that’s how it always must be.”
And here we have a perfect example of both the nature and probative value of my opponents’ arguments in the Paterno thread.
Even Great Debates? There, I would hope people would make decisions based on whatever information is brought forth, and not on how popular an idea is among dopers.
Is there a way to only allow the poll, but no comments? How about that? 
No, and what would be the point?
We haven’t had polls for all that long, so “always” is not the issue. The reason is that we felt polls made sense in some forums and not others.
It’s been tried, and without comments it sinks like a stone. It could probably be pinned by the mods…but then the first page would be filled up with pinned polls.
Sure, if you just want to insult a poster, a non-poll Pit thread makes sense. But what if, and I’m going out on a limb here, a situation arose where one wanted to find out how many people agreed vs. disagreed with an assertion that a poster made? The tricky part of this totally hypothetical situation is that said poster’s assertion had already proved to be somewhat unpopular, so there’s a good chance such a thread would quickly become out of bounds for the forum where polls are currently allowed? Doesn’t that seem like a situation where a poll in the Pit would work better than a regular thread in the Pit?
Just to be clear, I think this is a very minor issue. But it’s a case where a feature could be enabled that would expand the ways people can discuss things here, without any obvious downside. Yes, the board works fine without polls. My smartphone works fine without Words with Friends, but adding it has made my overall phone experience a little better.
well, but…wait a minute…:dubious:
It would be much better if mods answered these questions or gave their opinions on why they do things a certain way.
Why not GD? Its not like people wouldn’t post responses in the poll. And its not like people wouldn’t be called out on not supporting their position.
Is there a way to allow a poll in which people are not required to post comments when they vote?
In this particular case, there might be some rationale for an anonymous poll. However, this is the first time I can recall since polls were instituted where such a poll might have some justification. I don’t think such a rare situation merits a change in policy.
I don’t see how having polls turned on in the Pit would improve the experience in general. Basically, they’re not on there now because we don’t want Pit threads that are simple popularity contest where people can vote for “Poster X sucks, yes or no?” And we definitely don’t want posters to be telling people they suck anonymously. If you want to insult someone, you should be willing to stand by it in public.
[QUOTE=Enderw24]
I’d argue that the only reason it would become a pile on, subtle or not, is if the results were so lopsided Starving Artist would have no choice but to acknowledge that he had no support for his position.
[/QUOTE]
Speaking just as a poster, this is a lost cause. Starving Artist is not going to admit anything like that no matter what the result of the poll was. The existing Pit thread should demonstrate that to anyone’s satisfaction.
Sticky: Polls are now allowed in the Pit
We have decided to allow polls everywhere including the Pit. We have decided that any polls which just consist of “Colibri is a doodyhead: Agree or disagree?” will be instantly closed. Have an actual topic or you will be breaking the rules and subject to the usual punishment. If you want to open a Pit thread just to insult another poster go ahead (within the rules of course) but don’t make it a poll. We are not interested in having popularity contests in the Pit. If you all can’t play nice in the Pit and follow these simple instructions we reserve the right to stop polling at any time.
Colibri do you see a problem with that?
I never claimed to speak on anyone’s behalf. I’m just posting a personal opinion.
Just like you.