# Mods: Closing joke pit threads. **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [October 27, 2007, 3:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mods-closing-joke-pit-threads/424227 "2007-10-27T15:55:14Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![armedmonkey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/d6d6ee/32.png) [@armedmonkey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/armedmonkey)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2007, 3:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mods-closing-joke-pit-threads/424227/1 "2007-10-27T15:55:14Z")
I’m not bitching, I just want clarification for this. My thread [here](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=441558) was closed and **Lynn Bodoni** said “No fake Pittings. Jokes and games go in MPSIMS.” I’m good with that, but have the rules changed? There are precedents for tongue in cheek pittings. Last Halloween we did a thread in the Pit about how zombies wouldn’t keep off a posters lawn. I didn’t think mine was much different. We’re not supposed to overly curse in MPSIMS, so I put the thing in the pit. Joke pittings aren’t addressed in the sticky, so can I get some clarification about what’s allowed and what’s not now? As an aside regarding that thread: **Marlitharn** , how the Hell did you figure that out? It was a show called “Scare Tactics” rather than “Fear Factor”, but, yep, that was the origin. Good job, I’m impressed ---
**Author:** ![LurkMeister](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/3da27b/32.png) [@LurkMeister](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LurkMeister)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2007, 4:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mods-closing-joke-pit-threads/424227/2 "2007-10-27T16:32:26Z")
I was also curious why, if the thread in question belonged in MPSIMS instead of BBQ Pit, it wasn’t just moved there instead of being closed. Was it because of the language? ---
**Author:** ![Santo\_Rugger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e95f7d/32.png) [@Santo\_Rugger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Santo_Rugger)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2007, 4:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mods-closing-joke-pit-threads/424227/3 "2007-10-27T16:32:51Z")
I was under the impression that parody threads and the like were s_upposed_ to go in the pit. Color me uninformed. ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2007, 4:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mods-closing-joke-pit-threads/424227/4 "2007-10-27T16:44:20Z")
The best I have got is this [paragraph from the sticky](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=365973): > [@](#): > > **Rants should be suitable for the Pit** > > Cutesy, “I Pit puppies for being sooo cute!” non-Pittings are not welcome here. Put them in MPSIMS. Rants which are genuine but simply too tepid or mundane for the Pit will be moved or closed, as we see fit. Lastly, rants about personal trauma that are expected to generate mostly supportive, sympathetic responses will likely be moved to MPSIMS. This is not a commentary on the seriousness of said life events, merely the best forum for that type of thread. I think joke pittings are covered under this (maybe). As far as some joke threads sneaking through, that probably depends mostly on \*_Lynn \*\* not seeing them. She is semi-retired_ and from what I have seen the most stern on joke threads in the pit[sup]2[/sup]. Jim - Her words. [sup]2[/sup] I am not saying this is a bad thing. ---
**Author:** ![askeptic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/eb9ed0/32.png) [@askeptic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/askeptic)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2007, 5:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mods-closing-joke-pit-threads/424227/5 "2007-10-27T17:16:35Z")
Lynn was gone for a while apparently…sheees baaaaack. It can’t be a coincidence that Halloween is just around the corner. ---
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2007, 5:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mods-closing-joke-pit-threads/424227/6 "2007-10-27T17:43:45Z")
This has been a rule for years. It started when the Pit started getting overwhelmed with tons of retarded joke threads like “Fuck you my cute widdle kitty cat for waking me up with your big precious eyes” and “I’m pitting **username** for being so smart and giving way better answers than me in GQ.” People have gotten better about not doing that anymore but the standard is for rants that are really just weak complaints to be moved to MPSIMS and pure jokes to be closed. Obviously it’s a fine line and the decision will vary from Mod to Mod. ---
**Author:** ![Giraffe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/giraffe/32/129_2.png) [@Giraffe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Giraffe)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2007, 7:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mods-closing-joke-pit-threads/424227/7 "2007-10-27T19:09:07Z")
[QUOTE=A Monkey With a Gun] I’m good with that, but have the rules changed? There are precedents for tongue in cheek pittings. Last Halloween we did a thread in the Pit about how zombies wouldn’t keep off a posters lawn. I didn’t think mine was much different. We’re not supposed to overly curse in MPSIMS, so I put the thing in the pit. Joke pittings aren’t addressed in the sticky, so can I get some clarification about what’s allowed and what’s not now? [/QUOTE] While we will sometimes let threads stay in the Pit that aren’t really Pit-worthy, the general rule is that fake or joke Pittings will be moved or closed. While not explicitly spelled out in the sticky, it falls under the “Rants should be suitable for the Pit” section noted by **What Exit?**. Also, you can curse in MPSIMS. I’m guessing there’s a limit, i.e. three pages of all-caps obscenities would probably be over the line, but a single “Fuckin’ A” certainly isn’t going to give anyone the vapors. I’ll go ahead and reopen your thread and move it over to MPSIMS. ---
**Author:** ![askeptic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/eb9ed0/32.png) [@askeptic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/askeptic)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2007, 7:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mods-closing-joke-pit-threads/424227/8 "2007-10-27T19:13:21Z")
[QUOTE=Giraffe] I’ll go ahead and reopen your thread and move it over to MPSIMS. [/QUOTE] Boy, Lynn’s going to beat you like a red headed step-child. ---
**Author:** ![armedmonkey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/d6d6ee/32.png) [@armedmonkey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/armedmonkey)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2007, 7:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mods-closing-joke-pit-threads/424227/9 "2007-10-27T19:34:44Z")
Thanks, **Giraffe**. I wanted clarification, and you came as close as can be, I suppose. It _is_ a judgment call on each thread, isn’t it? I’ve been here six years now, and there have been times when I have been very active on the board, but I have never wanted to have to be a moderator. That’s got to be a thankless job. What does the moderator job pay, anyway? A coffee mug and a T-shirt? If I ever meet you in real life, I’ll buy you a beer. You’re good at it, **Giraffe** , I like you. Next time I think up something like the thread in question, I’ll put it in MPSIMS. ---
**Author:** ![Hostile\_Dialect](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e495f1/32.png) [@Hostile\_Dialect](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hostile_Dialect)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2007, 8:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mods-closing-joke-pit-threads/424227/10 "2007-10-27T20:34:33Z")
> [@hajario](#): > > Obviously it’s a fine line and the decision will vary from Mod to Mod. Since when do the [Mods](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mod_%28lifestyle%29) have anything to do with this? 😕 ---
**Author:** ![Giraffe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/giraffe/32/129_2.png) [@Giraffe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Giraffe)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2007, 9:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mods-closing-joke-pit-threads/424227/11 "2007-10-27T21:07:33Z")
[QUOTE=A Monkey With a Gun] Thanks, **Giraffe**. I wanted clarification, and you came as close as can be, I suppose. It _is_ a judgment call on each thread, isn’t it? I’ve been here six years now, and there have been times when I have been very active on the board, but I have never wanted to have to be a moderator. That’s got to be a thankless job. What does the moderator job pay, anyway? A coffee mug and a T-shirt? If I ever meet you in real life, I’ll buy you a beer. [/QUOTE] We get a coffee mug, which is good because before I got this gig I had to drink my coffee out of a dirty old flowerpot. Beyond that, it’s true that the rewards are mostly intangible. It’s definitely not for everyone, but I’ve enjoyed it so far. And thanks for the kind words. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![blinkingblinking](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ea5d25/32.png) [@blinkingblinking](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blinkingblinking)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2007, 9:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mods-closing-joke-pit-threads/424227/12 "2007-10-27T21:40:18Z")
Why is this in the Pit rather than in About this message board? ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2007, 9:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mods-closing-joke-pit-threads/424227/13 "2007-10-27T21:48:46Z")
[QUOTE=blinkingblinking] Why is this in the Pit rather than in About this message board? [/QUOTE] That is an easy one; the BBQ description says: If you gotta flame, do it here. **This is the place for all complaints and other discussion regarding administration of the SDMB**. ---
**Author:** ![askeptic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/eb9ed0/32.png) [@askeptic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/askeptic)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2007, 10:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mods-closing-joke-pit-threads/424227/14 "2007-10-27T22:25:16Z")
[QUOTE=What Exit?] That is an easy one; the BBQ description says: If you gotta flame, do it here. **This is the place for all complaints and other discussion regarding administration of the SDMB**. [/QUOTE] Quit shouting. ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2007, 10:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mods-closing-joke-pit-threads/424227/15 "2007-10-27T22:32:10Z")
[QUOTE=askeptic] Quit shouting. [/QUOTE] Ok, sorry. ---
**Author:** ![wring](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/838e76/32.png) [@wring](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wring)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2007, 10:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mods-closing-joke-pit-threads/424227/16 "2007-10-27T22:39:56Z")
[QUOTE=What Exit?] Ok, sorry. [/QUOTE] could you speak up? ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2007, 10:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mods-closing-joke-pit-threads/424227/17 "2007-10-27T22:40:41Z")
[QUOTE=wring] could you speak up? [/QUOTE] I said I was Sorry! ---
**Author:** ![Polycarp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/82dd89/32.png) [@Polycarp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Polycarp)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2007, 10:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mods-closing-joke-pit-threads/424227/18 "2007-10-27T22:50:58Z")
I’m under the impression that a couple years back, someone started a parody of a Pit thread with the specific purpose of Pitting the OP and content of the Pit thread parodied, and it was ruled that the parody thread, being validly a Pitting of something itself, was appropriately housed in the Pit. I don’t remember the circumstances or details to locate the ruling, though, so if that triggers someone’s memory, please feel free to substantiate my memory (or, horrors, correct my error) here. ---
**Author:** ![armedmonkey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/d6d6ee/32.png) [@armedmonkey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/armedmonkey)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2007, 11:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mods-closing-joke-pit-threads/424227/19 "2007-10-27T23:49:11Z")
This ain’t a circuit court of appeals, **poly**. I needed a clarification about how the board is run currently. This board is not a republic governed by laws. This board is _us_. And we are a loose conglomeration of intelligent idiots. You have to flow with it. ---
**Author:** ![Carol\_Stream](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c2a13f/32.png) [@Carol\_Stream](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Carol_Stream)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2007, 1:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mods-closing-joke-pit-threads/424227/20 "2007-10-28T01:32:01Z")
[QUOTE=Giraffe] While we will sometimes let threads stay in the Pit that aren’t really Pit-worthy, the general rule is that fake or joke Pittings will be moved or closed. [/QUOTE] Sometimes? :dubious: It seems more often than not that you let threads stay that really don’t belong. As of right now, three of the four top threads are: 1)A Pitting that has devolved into a joke thread, but is still open. [http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=441462&page=1&pp=50](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=441462&page=1&pp=50) 2)A mini-rants thread. Enough said. 3)A fake pitting. [Reverse Pitting: Georgia Supreme Court releases Genarlow Wilson - The BBQ Pit - Straight Dope Message Board](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=441839) Are you moderating the same board the rest of us are reading? [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mods-closing-joke-pit-threads/424227.md?page=2)