# Moving threads to The Pit **URL:** \ **Category:** About This Message Board\ **Created:** [May 17, 2018, 6:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moving-threads-to-the-pit/814357 "2018-05-17T18:14:58Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2018, 3:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moving-threads-to-the-pit/814357/81 "2018-05-18T15:47:50Z")
> [@CarnalK](#): > > Here is the perfect example! > [https://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=9605308&postcount=17](https://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=9605308&postcount=17) That thread started with a rant, which set the pace for the rest. ---
**Author:** ![CarnalK](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnalk/32/486_2.png) [@CarnalK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CarnalK)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2018, 3:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moving-threads-to-the-pit/814357/82 "2018-05-18T15:52:54Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > That thread started with a rant, which set the pace for the rest. Uh, not really. > [@People don't use turn signals because...](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-dont-use-turn-signals-because/442409/1): > > They can’t be bothered? > They’re too damn lazy to flick that little lever all the time? > They can’t have “the man” telling them what to do? > They already have a cellphone in one hand? > They’re stupid? > Turn signals are just so…_old school_? > > I’m curious to read what Dopers have to say on this motorway mystery. That’s a rant that deserves moving to the Pit? ---
**Author:** ![Jasmine](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jasmine/32/2964_2.png) [@Jasmine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jasmine)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2018, 3:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moving-threads-to-the-pit/814357/83 "2018-05-18T15:53:07Z")
> [@Wakinyan](#): > > If the thread is not moved, I get a discussion that is moderated, but if it is moved, I do not. But if a lets pile on Wakinyan thread is created in the pit, I can simply ignore it and keep discussing the topic as civil people. That’s a valid point, but we have to get back to why the moderator would move it to the Pit in the first place. Were it a civil discussion to begin with, it would never be moved, would it? The assumption has to be that it was moved because it had already gotten out of hand. This has gotten way complicated. LOL ---
**Author:** ![octopus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/octopus/32/3716_2.png) [@octopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/octopus)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2018, 3:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moving-threads-to-the-pit/814357/84 "2018-05-18T15:54:00Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > For example…? Any threads where mods throw up their hands in despair and move the thread to the pit. Which is the subject of this thread. ---
**Author:** ![Ionizer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/5daacb/32.png) [@Ionizer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ionizer)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2018, 3:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moving-threads-to-the-pit/814357/85 "2018-05-18T15:54:58Z")
> [@andros](#): > > Seconding **Czarcasm**. I’m not dismissing or denying your (and **Grrr!**'s and **DrDeth** ’s) points. I’m just wondering if this ever actually happens. > . I remember a while back when a Mod moved a thread to Pit just so they could ‘shout’ indignities and such without respecting where thread was at the time. Even said as much, I think. IIRC, it was \*\*Marley23 (?) \*\*but I can’t say for certain. I do remember it caused a bit of an uproar, though. Just saying… ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2018, 3:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moving-threads-to-the-pit/814357/86 "2018-05-18T15:56:04Z")
> [@octopus](#): > > Any threads where mods throw up their hands in despair and move the thread to the pit. Which is the subject of this thread. Such a fine example you’ve given us, indeed. ---
**Author:** ![andros](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e480ec/32.png) [@andros](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/andros)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2018, 3:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moving-threads-to-the-pit/814357/87 "2018-05-18T15:57:16Z")
> [@CarnalK](#): > > Here is the perfect example! > [https://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=9605308&postcount=17](https://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=9605308&postcount=17) Just to be clear, you’re pointing to that thread as an example of (quoting **Grrr!** ) “…a poster start[ing] a thread on a polarizing issue” containing “an unpopular opinion,” in which a Mod “move[d] the thread to the Pit just so the other posters can bag on him or her with impunity.” Is that your stance? . ---
**Author:** ![CarnalK](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnalk/32/486_2.png) [@CarnalK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CarnalK)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2018, 4:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moving-threads-to-the-pit/814357/88 "2018-05-18T16:00:59Z")
Like Grrrr! implies, moving the thread to the Pit because some posters can’t control themselves is rewarding their behaviour. If it’s too many warnings or notes for a mod to want to bother with, then close the thread. Don’t say “You win; I’ll move it to the Pit so you can continue with your insults.” ---
**Author:** ![CarnalK](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnalk/32/486_2.png) [@CarnalK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CarnalK)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2018, 4:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moving-threads-to-the-pit/814357/89 "2018-05-18T16:03:09Z")
> [@andros](#): > > Just to be clear, you’re pointing to that thread as an example of (quoting **Grrr!** ) “…a poster start[ing] a thread on a polarizing issue” containing “an unpopular opinion,” in which a Mod “move[d] the thread to the Pit just so the other posters can bag on him or her with impunity.” Is that your stance? > . Traffic etiquette can be a polarizing issue, though for most people it’s easy to keep civil. I’m not going to research out a more perfect example for you, sorry. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2018, 4:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moving-threads-to-the-pit/814357/90 "2018-05-18T16:05:26Z")
> [@CarnalK](#): > > Like Grrrr! implies, moving the thread to the Pit because some posters can’t control themselves is rewarding their behaviour. If it’s too many warnings or notes for a mod to want to bother with, then close the thread. Don’t say “You win; I’ll move it to the Pit so you can continue with your insults.” There may very well be examples of that actually happening somewhere recently in the memory banks, but it looks like you went back over ten years just to play “gotcha ya” with someone who questions the fact that this is a real problem. ---
**Author:** ![Velocity](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/velocity/32/18006_2.png) [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2018, 4:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moving-threads-to-the-pit/814357/91 "2018-05-18T16:10:06Z")
Along with what others have said, I also see moving threads to the Pit as a problem because it means that posters who made comments in a non-Pit thread under the assumption that they wouldn’t get insulted/targeted, now get their comments targeted under Pit rules. ---
**Author:** ![CarnalK](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnalk/32/486_2.png) [@CarnalK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CarnalK)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2018, 4:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moving-threads-to-the-pit/814357/92 "2018-05-18T16:10:36Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > There may very well be examples of that actually happening somewhere recently in the memory banks, but it looks like you went back over ten years just to play “gotcha ya” with someone who questions the fact that this is a real problem. Is that what it looks like to you? Maybe you’re just taking it too personally. ---
**Author:** ![Jonathan\_Chance](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jonathan_chance/32/701_2.png) [@Jonathan\_Chance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jonathan_Chance)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2018, 4:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moving-threads-to-the-pit/814357/93 "2018-05-18T16:10:44Z")
Yeah. Gotta admit. I’m going to declare discussions of Czarcasm’s moderating decisions out of line, here. Not only does it have a vague whiff of a personal shot, but he hasn’t been a moderator for quite a while. You want to make your case? Go ahead. Make your case. We’re here to listen. I think all of us would agree on that. But let’s keep it relevant and recent so we can decide whether there’s actually an ongoing problem. ---
**Author:** ![andros](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e480ec/32.png) [@andros](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/andros)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2018, 4:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moving-threads-to-the-pit/814357/94 "2018-05-18T16:11:17Z")
> [@CarnalK](#): > > Traffic etiquette can be a polarizing issue, though for most people it’s easy to keep civil. I’m not going to research out a more perfect example for you, sorry. No worries, I don’t expect you to. Just looking for clarity. I still feel that this is, broadly, a solution in search of a problem. . ---
**Author:** ![CarnalK](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnalk/32/486_2.png) [@CarnalK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CarnalK)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2018, 4:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moving-threads-to-the-pit/814357/95 "2018-05-18T16:15:16Z")
> [@andros](#): > > No worries, I don’t expect you to. Just looking for clarity. I still feel that this is, broadly, a solution in search of a problem. > . The problem is as I stated above. It encourages the behaviour of people who won’t control their anger in non-Pit threads. As long as enough people are insulting, no warnings will be handed out and the thread gets moved to the insult forum. ---
**Author:** ![watchwolf49](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e9c0ed/32.png) [@watchwolf49](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/watchwolf49)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2018, 4:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moving-threads-to-the-pit/814357/96 "2018-05-18T16:16:15Z")
I thought threads were moved to the Pit for **Moderator Miller’s** entertainment … ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2018, 4:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moving-threads-to-the-pit/814357/97 "2018-05-18T16:17:15Z")
> [@CarnalK](#): > > The problem is as I stated above. It encourages the behaviour of people who won’t control their anger in non-Pit threads. If it has been happening recently that would indeed be a problem. Has it? ---
**Author:** ![octopus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/octopus/32/3716_2.png) [@octopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/octopus)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2018, 4:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moving-threads-to-the-pit/814357/98 "2018-05-18T16:21:17Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > Such a fine example you’ve given us, indeed. You can search the Pit yourself.That you and others feel the need to ridicule/insult the OP who is asking a fair question outside the Pit ought to be sufficient reason why a poster who has participated in a thread might be miffed to see that conversation descend even further when the mods move it to the cess pit. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2018, 4:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moving-threads-to-the-pit/814357/99 "2018-05-18T16:23:35Z")
> [@octopus](#): > > You can search the Pit yourself. Nope-_You’ve_ made the claim that it happens, so _you_ get to do the search. ---
**Author:** ![Wakinyan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wakinyan/32/352_2.png) [@Wakinyan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wakinyan)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2018, 4:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moving-threads-to-the-pit/814357/100 "2018-05-18T16:24:06Z")
> [@Jasmine](#): > > That’s a valid point, but we have to get back to why the moderator would move it to the Pit in the first place. Were it a civil discussion to begin with, it would never be moved, would it?[snip] As I said earlier, I think that if the OP is serious and sincere, his or her thread should not be moved to the pit, as a general rule. That thread should be moderated, and if folks want to pit the OP meanwhile, that’s obviously something one can do. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moving-threads-to-the-pit/814357.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moving-threads-to-the-pit/814357.md?page=6)