# 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:** 6
**Author:** ![Chimera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Chimera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chimera)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2018, 4:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moving-threads-to-the-pit/814357/101 "2018-05-18T16:27:42Z")
> [@Jonathan\_Chance](#): > > As Robert Heinlein said, an insult is like a drink, it can only affect you if you accept it. Right. It’s like this guy I used to game with. He hated me for unknown reasons. One day, out of the blue, for no reason I could discern, he makes some crack at me about how at least he’s kissed a girl and had sex with a woman. I just laughed. I’d been married and divorced before I met him, so obviously that wasn’t true about me. How could I possibly be insulted by it? Most of the other guys at the table also knew I’d been married before, so they knew the guy was just being an ass. Said nothing about me, showed everything about him. ---
**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, 4:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moving-threads-to-the-pit/814357/102 "2018-05-18T16:28:04Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > If it has been happening recently that would indeed be a problem. > Has it? The “solution in search of a problem” doesn’t really make sense. The solution under discussion is moving the thread to the Pit for the problem of too many unruly posts. I’m saying that’s a bad solution. Why not tell me why you think it _is_ a good solution? ---
**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, 4:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moving-threads-to-the-pit/814357/103 "2018-05-18T16:29:15Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > Nope-_You’ve_ made the claim that it happens, so _you_ get to do the search. Are you seriously claiming that mods don’t do as they said they did and move threads to the pit? :dubious: It’s pretty common knowledge they do so. They even said they did. What I’m not about to do is link to a thread that was moved and get into an endless debate on the subjective “merits” of the move. Therefore a lack of a so-called cite is irrelevant. ---
**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, 4:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moving-threads-to-the-pit/814357/104 "2018-05-18T16:30:48Z")
> [@CarnalK](#): > > The “solution in search of a problem” doesn’t really make sense. The solution under discussion is moving the thread to the Pit for the problem of too many unruly posts. I’m saying that’s a bad solution. Why not tell me why you think it _is_ a good solution? You have yet to show that there is a problem to solve in the first place. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2018, 4:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moving-threads-to-the-pit/814357/105 "2018-05-18T16:34:28Z")
> [@octopus](#): > > when the mods move it to the cess pit. \ Could you explain your use of the word _cess_? [Dictionary.com](http://Dictionary.com) says: > [@](#): > > noun > 1. > British. a tax, assessment, or lien. > 2. > (in Scotland) a land tax. > 3. > (in Ireland) a military assessment. > 4. > (in India) an import or sales tax on a commodity. and > [@](#): > > noun > 1. > an Irish slang word for luck bad cess to you! and > [@](#): > > noun > 1. > short for cesspool While Urban [dictionary.com](http://dictionary.com) says > [@](#): > > a synonym for weed, marijuana, or pot that was used in the the lyrics of many early 90’s rappers. in its early stages cess was not exclusively shwag or shitty weed, but was rather synonymous with weed. Most rappers of this early age referred to even heady nug as cess > > rappers who have used cess in this manner include, but are not limited to; Biggie Smalls, Masta P, Ghostface Killah, Method Man, NWA ---
**Author:** ![Chimera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Chimera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chimera)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2018, 4:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moving-threads-to-the-pit/814357/106 "2018-05-18T16:37:06Z")
Dude, obviously it’s the weed 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, 4:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moving-threads-to-the-pit/814357/107 "2018-05-18T16:42:35Z")
[Here is a list of all the OP’s Pit threads](https://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/search.php?searchid=15027546). Which one(s) was/were unjustly moved to The BBQ Pit? ---
**Author:** ![Bone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bone/32/407_2.png) [@Bone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bone)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2018, 4:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moving-threads-to-the-pit/814357/108 "2018-05-18T16:44:32Z")
> [@CarnalK](#): > > 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. I think it’s case by case, but in general I’d say my inclination would not be to move the thread, or if a move was made, first any moderation that is called for would be executed, then a move. I don’t think there should be a heckler’s veto with forum placement. > [@Wakinyan](#): > > 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. This is also reasonable to me. A rule prohibiting a move is not reasonable. > [@Czarcasm](#): > > You have yet to show that there is a problem to solve in the first place. A discussion of general principles doesn’t need to center around an extant problem. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2018, 4:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moving-threads-to-the-pit/814357/109 "2018-05-18T16:45:12Z")
> [@Chimera](#): > > Dude, obviously it’s the weed pit. 🆒 Ahhh, and so I am vindicated. ---
**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, 4:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moving-threads-to-the-pit/814357/110 "2018-05-18T16:47:14Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > You have yet to show that there is a problem to solve in the first place. Why quote my post if you are going to ignore its content? ---
**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, 5:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moving-threads-to-the-pit/814357/111 "2018-05-18T17:24:00Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > \ > > Could you explain your use of the word _cess_? > > [Dictionary.com](http://Dictionary.com) says: > and > and > While Urban [dictionary.com](http://dictionary.com) says > **[Dictionary.com | Meanings & Definitions of English Words](https://www.dictionary.com/browse/cesspit)** > > The world's leading online dictionary: English definitions, synonyms, word origins, example sentences, word games, and more. A trusted authority for 25+ years! The space between cess and Pit was not intended. ---
**Author:** ![Peter\_Morris](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/peter_morris/32/359_2.png) [@Peter\_Morris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peter_Morris)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2018, 5:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moving-threads-to-the-pit/814357/112 "2018-05-18T17:27:15Z")
As far as I can tell, moving threads to the pit has happened less than 200 times in the history of the SDMB. A quick search turned up about 100 of them, and I’ll guess that’s about half of all the times it happened. A sizeable percentage of those was ATMB-\> Pit during the “complaints about mods go in the pit” period. As far as I can recall it only happened once in a thread that I personally was following. Since I don’t pit, I simply stopped participating in that thread. It was a minor annoyance at the time, and a long time ago. That said, I disagree with [this thread](https://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=851937&highlight=moderating+moved) being moved, but it’s not a huge deal. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2018, 5:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moving-threads-to-the-pit/814357/113 "2018-05-18T17:33:39Z")
> [@octopus](#): > > [CESSPIT Definition & Meaning | Dictionary.com](http://www.dictionary.com/browse/cesspit) > > The space between cess and Pit was not intended. Consider the well poisoned! ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2018, 6:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moving-threads-to-the-pit/814357/114 "2018-05-18T18:19:44Z")
> [@IvoryTowerDenizen](#): > > I’m still trying to figure out how often this happens that we need a rule banning mods from being allowed to do this, as the OP wants. > > Sure, it’s not an ideal situation but sometimes it’s the best choice of all options available. No one is suggesting that random dumping of threads into the Pit should be the norm. But a prohibition on doing it because a poster _might_ get insulted and then is now _forced_ to participate in a Pit thread seems uneccessary. No, I don’t want to make it a “rule”. Perhaps now, that you see several posters have a issue with it, it could be more of a option of last resort, something you might do less often? That’s all I ask. Consider carefully. ---
**Author:** ![Exapno\_Mapcase](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/exapno_mapcase/32/1051_2.png) [@Exapno\_Mapcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Exapno_Mapcase)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2018, 6:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moving-threads-to-the-pit/814357/115 "2018-05-18T18:21:06Z")
> [@Jonathan\_Chance](#): > > Similar, in terms of being insulted or flamed in the Pit. As Robert Heinlein said, an insult is like a drink, it can only affect you if you accept it. All Heinlein adages are wrong, and this one is especially obnoxious. How a writer can say that words are not powerful is beyond my comprehension. This was idiotic in the olden days and it’s worse today. I guess you haven’t noticed but we’re living in an age of internet trolling, cyberbullying, and fake news. People are literally dying. It’s true that threats against the poster are forbidden here, but we have a long history of good posters being driven away by words and nothing but words. The Pit may be a necessity, and I agree that some threads may need to be moved there. But we also need to be aware of the damage that can be done, and never, ever minimize it by saying it’s just words. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2018, 6:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moving-threads-to-the-pit/814357/116 "2018-05-18T18:22:56Z")
> [@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. > . The recent issue with Clothahump. Taking that thread to the Pit caused quite a bit of nastiness and a banning. (I am not going to discuss whether or not that banning was justified, but that move did cause much nastiness) ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2018, 6:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moving-threads-to-the-pit/814357/117 "2018-05-18T18:25:02Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > [Here is a list of all the OP’s Pit threads](https://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/search.php?searchid=15027546). Which one(s) was/were unjustly moved to The BBQ Pit? I am not complaining about threads where I was the OP, but only a participant. ---
**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:** [May 18, 2018, 6:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moving-threads-to-the-pit/814357/118 "2018-05-18T18:35:57Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > No, I don’t want to make it a “rule”. Perhaps now, that you see several posters have a issue with it, it could be more of a option of last resort, something you might do less often? That’s all I ask. Consider carefully. That’s quite different than what your OP said. I believe that every mod in this thread has said that it is an option but certainly not the only or first tool we use. I posted that way up thread. I don’t know what you’re arguing for. Yes it sometimes happens, especially when the thread is really a rant to begin with. On rare occasion it’s used when a thread goes mightily off the rails. That is extremely rare circumstance. Some posters may not like it, everyone gets that. This is neither a new idea or surprising, but sometimes it’s the best choice we have. > [@DrDeth](#): > > I don’t think threads started in IMHO, etc should be moved to the PIT. It means that posters who don’t like the PIT- or perhaps should never go to the PIT as they react badly- are sent willy-nilly to a place they don’t want to be. > > Yes, some threads do get a bit out of hand. The solution is simple- close the thread offering them the choice of going to the Pit, or a warning that they should “take it to the Pit or the thread will be locked”. > > There is NEVER a good reason to actually move a thread to the Pit. > > Please don’t. ---
**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, 7:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moving-threads-to-the-pit/814357/119 "2018-05-18T19:00:39Z")
> [@Bone](#): > > I think it’s case by case, but in general I’d say my inclination would not be to move the thread, or if a move was made, first any moderation that is called for would be executed, then a move. I don’t think there should be a heckler’s veto with forum placement. This is what I think is the best practice. Thanks! ---
**Author:** ![Superdude](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/superdude/32/13450_2.png) [@Superdude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Superdude)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2018, 7:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moving-threads-to-the-pit/814357/120 "2018-05-18T19:13:06Z")
You wouldn’t think that someone who calls themselves **DrDeth** would have such a sensitive and delicate nature. I kid, I kid. I have to go along with the ones who don’t see a thread being moved to the Pit as a big deal. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moving-threads-to-the-pit/814357.md?page=5) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moving-threads-to-the-pit/814357.md?page=7)