# If Pit threads for members are allowed, it should only be for things they post in the Pit **URL:** \ **Category:** About This Message Board\ **Created:** [June 18, 2018, 2:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-pit-threads-for-members-are-allowed-it-should-only-be-for-things-they-post-in-the-pit/816320 "2018-06-18T14:30:02Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2018, 10:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-pit-threads-for-members-are-allowed-it-should-only-be-for-things-they-post-in-the-pit/816320/41 "2018-06-18T22:52:22Z")
> [@CCitizen](#): > > Sadly USA contains [40 million people with Mental Disability](https://www.nami.org/Learn-More/Mental-Health-By-the-Numbers) – I have Autism and Depression. There are 10 million with Severe Mental Disability – they are in a much worse situation then me. Many people escape to Social Media to cope with their mental anguish. > > Could you please consider their perspective. Stay out of The Pit. There, problem solved. ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2018, 11:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-pit-threads-for-members-are-allowed-it-should-only-be-for-things-they-post-in-the-pit/816320/42 "2018-06-18T23:09:23Z")
> [@Fleetwood](#): > > How do you know what goes on in there? I thought you claimed to never darken its doorstep? Is there some other way to find out what an poster is pitting there? The Pit apparently has windows too. #LoopholesROCK ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2018, 11:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-pit-threads-for-members-are-allowed-it-should-only-be-for-things-they-post-in-the-pit/816320/43 "2018-06-18T23:33:10Z")
> [@D\_Anconia](#): > > What gave you the idea that the internet was friendly, calm, and welcoming? > :dubious: In two ATMB threads now, the female members here have asked for a more friendly and welcoming SDMB. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2018, 11:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-pit-threads-for-members-are-allowed-it-should-only-be-for-things-they-post-in-the-pit/816320/44 "2018-06-18T23:34:32Z")
> [@IvoryTowerDenizen](#): > > Where does the paying vs non-paying come into it? That part confuses me. Anyone who registers, regardless of paying or not, has equal access to the pit. Are paying members supposed to be isolated from pit threads? What if paying members pit other paying members, or non-paying members? Are those scenarios ok? What the issue is is that the Pit jerks are scaring off paying members and also female members. The Pit turns this board into a unwelcoming place. ---
**Author:** ![IvoryTowerDenizen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ivorytowerdenizen/32/17937_2.png) [@IvoryTowerDenizen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IvoryTowerDenizen)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2018, 11:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-pit-threads-for-members-are-allowed-it-should-only-be-for-things-they-post-in-the-pit/816320/45 "2018-06-18T23:47:09Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > In two ATMB threads now, the female members here have asked for a more friendly and welcoming SDMB. “Friendly and welcoming” is an oversimplification of the issue and it did not pertain to the Pit. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2018, 11:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-pit-threads-for-members-are-allowed-it-should-only-be-for-things-they-post-in-the-pit/816320/46 "2018-06-18T23:54:39Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > What the issue is is that the Pit jerks are scaring off paying members and also female members. **The Pit turns this board into a unwelcoming place.** That is so totally wrong it’s nigh-on unbelievable. The fact that the SDMB has a place to _isolate_ the flame wars and insults speaks well of its desire to welcome everybody (within reason). Asking everybody to protect the dainty and delicate (of whatever sex, gender, persuasion, inclination or form) and not use rude language or characterizations is ridiculous on its face. If anything, The Pit should have the restraints removed and let it go back to the way it was - the Wild West, where you sacked up or stayed out. Anybody and everybody was fair game, including Mods, and there weren’t any silly language restrictions. ---
**Author:** ![Sunny\_Daze](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sunny_daze/32/438_2.png) [@Sunny\_Daze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunny_Daze)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2018, 12:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-pit-threads-for-members-are-allowed-it-should-only-be-for-things-they-post-in-the-pit/816320/47 "2018-06-19T00:53:03Z")
> [@IvoryTowerDenizen](#): > > “Friendly and welcoming” is an oversimplification of the issue and it did not pertain to the Pit. I’ll back up **ITD** on this. The Pit is not the issue. ---
**Author:** ![crowmanyclouds](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crowmanyclouds/32/19884_2.png) [@crowmanyclouds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/crowmanyclouds)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2018, 12:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-pit-threads-for-members-are-allowed-it-should-only-be-for-things-they-post-in-the-pit/816320/48 "2018-06-19T00:55:40Z")
> [@silenus](#): > > {…} If anything, The Pit should have the restraints removed and let it go back to the way it was - the Wild West, where you sacked up or stayed out. Anybody and everybody was fair game, including Mods, and there weren’t any silly language restrictions. Hear, hear! IMHO the boards slowed down after the Pit was nerfed. CMC fnord! ---
**Author:** ![splatterpunk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/3be4f8/32.png) [@splatterpunk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/splatterpunk)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2018, 12:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-pit-threads-for-members-are-allowed-it-should-only-be-for-things-they-post-in-the-pit/816320/49 "2018-06-19T00:56:24Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > In two ATMB threads now, the female members here have asked for a more friendly and welcoming SDMB. They were not referring to Pit threads. They were referring to behavior in other forums. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2018, 2:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-pit-threads-for-members-are-allowed-it-should-only-be-for-things-they-post-in-the-pit/816320/50 "2018-06-19T02:02:23Z")
> [@silenus](#): > > The fact that the SDMB has a place to _isolate_ the flame wars and insults speaks well of its desire to welcome everybody (within reason). Asking everybody to protect the dainty and delicate (of whatever sex, gender, persuasion, inclination or form) and not use rude language or characterizations is ridiculous on its face. You dont need to isolate that personal insults & flame wars, just ban them, as most other message boards do. And you can use rude language in all forums. Just you can’t call names. Why is is necessary for you to be able to insult other members? ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2018, 2:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-pit-threads-for-members-are-allowed-it-should-only-be-for-things-they-post-in-the-pit/816320/51 "2018-06-19T02:04:27Z")
> [@splatterpunk](#): > > They were not referring to Pit threads. They were referring to behavior in other forums. So, the Pit was wonderful and great and never harassed or got all old boys club on any females, but the that behavior occurred everywhere in all the other forums? :dubious::dubious: ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2018, 2:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-pit-threads-for-members-are-allowed-it-should-only-be-for-things-they-post-in-the-pit/816320/52 "2018-06-19T02:15:13Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > You dont need to isolate that personal insults & flame wars, just ban them, as most other message boards do. > > And you can use rude language in all forums. Just you can’t call names. > > Why is is necessary for you to be able to insult other members? Let’s all hold hands in Mr. Roger’s Neighborhood. Screw that. Follow your path and within 6 months this board would have 5 members, all talking about how wonderful their paper flowers were coming along. No, this board is about the vigorous give and take of intelligent debate, and TPTB long ago acknowledged that a place to go when feelings ran high would be A Good Thing. And it is. You are so wrong with everything in this thread that I think it breaks some sort of statistical metric. Like you’re actually _trying_ to be as wrong as you can. If that was your goal, good job! You succeeded. ---
**Author:** ![IvoryTowerDenizen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ivorytowerdenizen/32/17937_2.png) [@IvoryTowerDenizen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IvoryTowerDenizen)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2018, 2:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-pit-threads-for-members-are-allowed-it-should-only-be-for-things-they-post-in-the-pit/816320/53 "2018-06-19T02:19:21Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > So, the Pit was wonderful and great and never harassed or got all old boys club on any females, but the that behavior occurred everywhere in all the other forums? :dubious::dubious: Who said it was wonderful? The Pit is expected to be a rough place and you could directly call someone out for acting like a misogynistic jerk there! The rest of the board is expected to be civilized. It’s like going into a strip club and getting mad that there was nudity. I don’t like it, I wish strip clubs didn’t exist, but if I want to avoid it I can. Hooters, on the other hand, bugs me more because it’s the casual normalization of using women to sell products in a supposedly mainstream environment. You can be dubious, but that’s why I said you were oversimplifying the issue. ---
**Author:** ![Green\_Bean](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/green_bean/32/1760_2.png) [@Green\_Bean](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Green_Bean)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2018, 2:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-pit-threads-for-members-are-allowed-it-should-only-be-for-things-they-post-in-the-pit/816320/54 "2018-06-19T02:55:32Z")
How do you even come up with these things? > [@Miller](#): > > And leave nowhere on the board for us to call out the dips, dinks, dingbats, dorks, dummies, detestables, dopes, dolts, dimwits, ditzes, dastards, dunces, and deplorables that deign to darken our domain? > > I dramatically disagree! You forgot dotards. > [@DrDeth](#): > > In two ATMB threads now, the female members here have asked for a more friendly and welcoming SDMB. > [@DrDeth](#): > > What the issue is is that the Pit jerks are scaring off paying members and also female members. The Pit turns this board into a unwelcoming place. YOU DO NOT SPEAK FOR THE WOMEN OF THIS BOARD. DO NOT USE US AS AN EXCUSE TO PUSH YOUR PERSONAL AGENDA. And do remember that many of our most reliable “Pit jerks” are women. ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2018, 3:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-pit-threads-for-members-are-allowed-it-should-only-be-for-things-they-post-in-the-pit/816320/55 "2018-06-19T03:00:49Z")
> [@Green\_Bean](#): > > You forgot dotards. Damn! ---
**Author:** ![engineer\_comp\_geek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/engineer_comp_geek/32/504_2.png) [@engineer\_comp\_geek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/engineer_comp_geek)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2018, 3:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-pit-threads-for-members-are-allowed-it-should-only-be-for-things-they-post-in-the-pit/816320/56 "2018-06-19T03:04:18Z")
**Moderator Note** > [@DrDeth](#): > > So, the Pit was wonderful and great and never harassed or got all old boys club on any females > [@Green\_Bean](#): > > YOU DO NOT SPEAK FOR THE WOMEN OF THIS BOARD. We have already had multiple threads on this topic. We don’t need another one. Let’s not have any more hijacking of this thread. ---
**Author:** ![crowmanyclouds](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crowmanyclouds/32/19884_2.png) [@crowmanyclouds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/crowmanyclouds)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2018, 3:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-pit-threads-for-members-are-allowed-it-should-only-be-for-things-they-post-in-the-pit/816320/57 "2018-06-19T03:08:09Z")
> [@Green\_Bean](#): > > {…} YOU DO NOT SPEAK FOR THE WOMEN OF THIS BOARD. > > DO NOT USE US AS AN EXCUSE TO PUSH YOUR PERSONAL AGENDA. > > And do remember that many of our most reliable “Pit jerks” are women. **“Now, now, it’s not the surprise bestiality incest rape hypotheticals that AREN’T IN THE PIT that are making you so hysterical … it’s all the meanies in the Pit!”** 😉 CMC fnord! ---
**Author:** ![cochrane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cochrane/32/10441_2.png) [@cochrane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cochrane)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2018, 3:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-pit-threads-for-members-are-allowed-it-should-only-be-for-things-they-post-in-the-pit/816320/58 "2018-06-19T03:32:45Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > What the issue is is that the Pit jerks are scaring off paying members and also female members. The Pit turns this board into a unwelcoming place. I think anybody who has decided to invest $14.95 a year into this message board isn’t likely to be scared off easily. But what do I know, I’m just a lowly guest? ---
**Author:** ![choie](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/choie/32/7829_2.png) [@choie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/choie)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2018, 3:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-pit-threads-for-members-are-allowed-it-should-only-be-for-things-they-post-in-the-pit/816320/59 "2018-06-19T03:47:50Z")
/checks “Charter Member” status /checks girly bits Yep, I’m both paying and a woman. And nope, not frightened away by the Pit. Indeed, it’s one of the most enjoyable, lively areas of the SDMB. You can call a jerk a jerk, in ways both profound and profane, and it’s actually what first intrigued me about the place. Reading the trainwrecks and soap operas and debates and the gossip… my God, why _wouldn’t_ I wanna sign up to a community with such a rich tapestry of weirdos, nuts and kooks? (Said with affection…) ---
**Author:** ![raventhief](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/raventhief/32/4_2.png) [@raventhief](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/raventhief)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2018, 4:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-pit-threads-for-members-are-allowed-it-should-only-be-for-things-they-post-in-the-pit/816320/60 "2018-06-19T04:04:24Z")
So the idea is that when someone gets fed up with nasty jerkitude that doesn’t quite break the rules as they stand, we shouldn’t have a place to call it out? We should just leave, perhaps? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-pit-threads-for-members-are-allowed-it-should-only-be-for-things-they-post-in-the-pit/816320.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-pit-threads-for-members-are-allowed-it-should-only-be-for-things-they-post-in-the-pit/816320.md?page=4)