I agree. It’s kind of like if I were to walk around a public place, like a mall or subway station, and berate strangers for having conversations about subjects I don’t care about within my earshot.
I can only speculate that these people who have to open threads about subjects they don’t like just to shit in them must have some kind of really deep self esteem problems, and see it as an opportunity to try and feel better about themselves by attempting to bring someone else down.
While I am not (I don’t think) a threadshitter, I do understand where they’re coming from.
I wouldn’t say they’re opening the thread solely for the purpose of shitting in it, but are reacting to a weak, lame, and lazy OP. I mean, come on:
You click on a thread that has a promising title, and then all you see is a pasted link? The OP didn’t even have the good manners to say what the link is about, or why it angers him?
With those 30 seconds wasted, there’s little downside to wasting 30 more by clicking on “Post Reply” and giving the lazy OP a bit of negative correction.
How, exactly, am I supposed to know that someone’s post is lame/uninteresting/whatever before I’ve read it? I don’t know about the rest of you lot, but I don’t have a working crystal ball here. (And no, thread titles and the mouseover don’t often provide enough information. Especially from the RO cretins who post a thread title like “This is unbelievable” and a first paragraph consisting entirely of “Link.”.)
So if you read something you HAVE TO say it’s dull? If you click on something vague that turns out to be about American Idol, you HAVE TO pop in and say you think that show is shit?
Register your opinion where it’s welcome. Do something, like making a catchall thread for criticizing lame pit threads, otherwise you’re just threadshitting and that’s just fucking annoying and pointless.
How about in the case where someone posts a long, detailed story of exactly why he’s upset with his cell phone service, complete with mildly clever self-deprecating humor, and the first five posts in response are along the lines of “what a lame rant”, “this is too long” and “I give it a 2/10”?
THAT’S threadshitting.
Can you not likewise ignore the posts you’re pitting?
Why not provide a few samples then. It might be helpful. Others might not see what you interpret as clever self-deprecating humor that way.
I agree this should not be done in the other forums, but so many pit threads are very lame, that a culture of the Op is fair game is strongly developed now.
Some pittings are indeed things of beauty as far as rants go. I recall quite a few, “great rants, easy to dance to, I give it a 9”. I think that was the origin of the ratings before **Oakminster ** came along. He just took something already happening to the next level. He seems to be getting blasted for it regularly now.
Many pit threads go fine, it is usually based on the pitting appear legit and not looking like someone whining about something minor. As far as threadshitting, many pit ops are indeed just shit to start.
Jim
No, I don’t have to. If i feel sufficiently strongly about something, though, I can if I want. You don’t like that? Tough.
Last time I looked, my opinion is welcome right here on this board, subject to my abiding by the rules. Which rules you do not get to set. (Seriously, if you expect nothing in a thread but posts supportive of the OP, you are definitely in the wrong forum, and probably on the wrong board entirely.)
Silly idea; the people who need to read such a thread - the ones who post lame pit threads - wouldn’t ever think it applied to them. On the other hand, call them on their stupidity in their own threads, where they can see it, and it may have some positive effect. (It may already be having some positive effect, actually - the number of recreational outrage threads seems to have dropped a bit, now that the idiots who post them know they’ll get called on their idiocy.)
No doubt you don’t like my opinions, as expressed here. I can only suggest that you don’t read them, then. 
Actually, I think this could be very good advice. Just how we occasionally have a “Tiny Rants” thread, we could also do one to bitch about all the others not liked here in the pit. That would satisfy those that are unhappy with them (like ROs), still allowing to call them out (per-se) and show how ‘stupid’ they are all, the while not thread-shitting in the original for those who EO wish to read that type of thread.
Tell you what. You quit cluttering up the Pit with lame whiny bullshit, and you won’t get low ratings. Win-win.
I I I ME ME ME MINE MINE MINE. Insults aren’t constructive, they’re vain, belittling and judgmental. You don’t belong here tra la la is bloody nonsense. I have as much right to say stupid shit as you do. Nothing positive comes from cutting people down, and I suspect you belong with the rest of the powertripping soul-stealing assholes in middle management or the fucking military.
I guess I chose a bad example with American Idol as you must love watching teenagers getting PWNED on it. They’re so dumb and untalented LOL.
Tell YOU what. Why doncha go do a search on how many Pit threads I have started in the last five years, then get back to me about my “clutter” and my “lame whiny bullshit.” And then you can go fuck smooth off.
I started THIS thread because I didn’t wish to further derail another thread that had been immediately shit upon.
If a Pit thread is lame, it can sink slowly into obscurity. Three pages of “this is a lame pitting” “no it’s not” “yes it is” “you’re a one-trick pony” “no I’m not” is a waste of everyone’s time and energy. If someone’s being a dickweed, by all means, go after 'im. I have no issues with a good flamefest. I don’t even mind the occasional “this is gonna be good, I’m bringing in a lawn chair and some marshmallows and putting on my asbestos underwear” silliness.
Yes, you’re entitled to your opinion. By all means, express the hell out of it. If you don’t have one, though, what the fuck is the point of posting to say “Hey! I don’t have an opinion on this, but I’ll hop in and tell you that…um… I don’t have an opinion, I’ll just say your rant sucks!”?
Would you please let us know what thread? I am interested if I think your protest is legit or not.
Jim
This one: http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=414755 is the one that set me off, but a quick run through the Pit threads will show several similar responses to other OPs.
Thanks, I see 6 out of 13 replies were useless comments on rating the op. That is a pretty bad showing. I have to agree, you are not being whiny about this one. However, some of the poster were correct, it did not appear to be a pit thread, more of a MPSIMS.
He was barely asking questions or pitting anything specifically. Just vaguely the way the cell phone industry does business. Personally, I think if a mod had noticed it, it probably would have been moved to MPSIMS.
Jim
Your wish is my command.
You may indeed be right. The Pit has changed in my years here - it used to be a place for general bitching and moaning, but I’ve noticed that much of that does get moved to MPSIMS now, while threads that stay in the Pit tend to be more heated than they used to. Be that as it may, though, I’d still say the responsibility to determine that lies with the mods.
Don’t get me wrong - I’ve no aversion to criticism, whether it’s constructive or just creative, IF IT HAS A POINT.
What else can you help me with? I’ve been dying to get laid recently.
Awfully difficult for me to discuss my opinions without resorting to first person pronouns. Still, one will endeavour to accommodate you, even if one does end up sounding like the Queen as a result.
Also rather fun, if they’re done right.
Indeed. And I, just like anyone else around here, have the same right to call you on your stupid shit.
If I ever attain a position of any power, you may rest assured I will trip on it. (What’s the point of having power if you don’t?) I couldn’t pass the physical for the military, though.
I guess you did choose a bad example, since I’ve never watched the show, and never commented on it, on this board or anywhere else. If I ever do feel the urge to remark on it, though, rest assured that you shall not deter me. I’m all about the free speech, you know.
make this a stickey. If you only want supportive answers, seek elsewhere.