# Please change the Pit tagline \[New Pit Rules\] **URL:** \ **Category:** About This Message Board\ **Created:** [February 24, 2009, 4:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-change-the-pit-tagline-new-pit-rules/487212 "2009-02-24T16:32:34Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 6
**Author:** ![Arnold\_Winkelried](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Arnold\_Winkelried](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Arnold_Winkelried)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2009, 7:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-change-the-pit-tagline-new-pit-rules/487212/101 "2009-02-24T19:40:16Z")
> [@Loach](#): > > Then don’t quote me in your response. Are Aye Sir! (snappy salute) ---
**Author:** ![SkipMagic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skipmagic/32/20706_2.png) [@SkipMagic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SkipMagic)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2009, 7:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-change-the-pit-tagline-new-pit-rules/487212/102 "2009-02-24T19:40:51Z")
> [@Ogre](#): > > …sometime in 2013. A little [earlier](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=508033) than that. But, I still want my flying car. ---
**Author:** ![MsWhatsit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/eb8c5e/32.png) [@MsWhatsit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MsWhatsit)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2009, 7:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-change-the-pit-tagline-new-pit-rules/487212/103 "2009-02-24T19:41:38Z")
> [@Der\_Trihs](#): > > With such vague rules, which strike me as designed more as an excuse for banning people, I doubt I’ll post in the Pit. I might get banned calling someone who’s insulting women a misogynist or something of the sort. Agreed completely, particularly the bit about these rules looking like an excuse for banning people. Defining “abuse” is bound to be vague and subjective, and I’m not interested in getting suspended or banned for inadvertently stepping over someone’s invisible line. ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2009, 7:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-change-the-pit-tagline-new-pit-rules/487212/104 "2009-02-24T19:42:59Z")
> [@Arnold\_Winkelried](#): > > Are Aye Sir! (snappy salute) Please. Are you trying to bait me into an insult? I think you have been around enough to know that if you quote someone and use the word “you” it will be read as being directed towards that person. Otherwise why use the quote? ---
**Author:** ![Arnold\_Winkelried](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Arnold\_Winkelried](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Arnold_Winkelried)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2009, 7:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-change-the-pit-tagline-new-pit-rules/487212/105 "2009-02-24T19:43:45Z")
> [@SoulFrost](#): > > Maybe, but how does that line up with your “when I’m at work” analogy? the “I’m at work” analogy is supposed to show that most people live a great part of their day in an environment where they can’t flame other posters and they don’t run amuck and leave in a torrent of abuse one day when they can’t take it anymore. And before you bring up the issue “they stay there because they get paid to”, I also mentioned some other situations where people a) are not paid for their presence, and b) are not expected to be throwing around “motherfucker” and “cunt” when someone says something that they disagree with. ---
**Author:** ![SoulFrost](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f07891/32.png) [@SoulFrost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SoulFrost)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2009, 7:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-change-the-pit-tagline-new-pit-rules/487212/106 "2009-02-24T19:44:02Z")
FYI, **Ed** responds: [Pit rules have been revised - About This Message Board - Straight Dope Message Board](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=508033) ---
**Author:** ![Scissorjack](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c67d28/32.png) [@Scissorjack](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scissorjack)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2009, 7:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-change-the-pit-tagline-new-pit-rules/487212/107 "2009-02-24T19:46:39Z")
Doubleplusungood. ---
**Author:** ![Arnold\_Winkelried](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Arnold\_Winkelried](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Arnold_Winkelried)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2009, 7:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-change-the-pit-tagline-new-pit-rules/487212/108 "2009-02-24T19:46:56Z")
> [@Loach](#): > > Please. Are you trying to bait me into an insult? No, trying to be funny. > [@](#): > > I think you have been around enough to know that if you quote someone and use the word “you” it will be read as being directed towards that person. Otherwise why use the quote? Because I was responding to a sentence in your post. And using the “one” pronoun always seems stilted to me. If I could go back to edit my post, I would change it to say “If it is a hardship for one to disagree with someone without the profanity, then as I said somewhere else, I don’t think the problem lies in the Pit rules.” If you want I can e-mail a moderator to try to have my post corrected. ---
**Author:** ![Brad\_the\_Impaler](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/8dc957/32.png) [@Brad\_the\_Impaler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Brad_the_Impaler)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2009, 7:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-change-the-pit-tagline-new-pit-rules/487212/109 "2009-02-24T19:48:30Z")
> [@Arnold\_Winkelried](#): > > the “I’m at work” analogy is supposed to show that most people live a great part of their day in an environment where they can’t flame other posters and they don’t run amuck and leave in a torrent of abuse one day when they can’t take it anymore. And before you bring up the issue “they stay there because they get paid to”, I also mentioned some other situations where people a) are not paid for their presence, and b) are not expected to be throwing around “motherfucker” and “cunt” when someone says something that they disagree with. Perhaps this isn’t the right message board for those people then. Or, we can just say screw the folks who have been here for years, and lets get those imaginary new posters. You know, like the ones who flocked over for PTP. Imaginary posters RULE. ---
**Author:** ![Arnold\_Winkelried](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Arnold\_Winkelried](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Arnold_Winkelried)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2009, 7:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-change-the-pit-tagline-new-pit-rules/487212/110 "2009-02-24T19:50:57Z")
> [@sailor](#): > > So what’s the point of having the Pit now? Why not just close it down? I don’t know. I would suggest waiting a while after the new rules are implemented to see what it looks like, then posters will be able to judge if that forum still has value. ---
**Author:** ![mhendo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mhendo/32/3159_2.png) [@mhendo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mhendo)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2009, 7:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-change-the-pit-tagline-new-pit-rules/487212/111 "2009-02-24T19:51:09Z")
> [@aldiboronti](#): > > The possible exeption is the “No abusive remarks directed at other posters.” I think this could well stifle The Pit. What’s the point, after all, of pitting someone if you can’t hurl a little honest abuse at them? ‘Take it to The Pit’ will have a rather hollow ring after this. Actually, “Take it to the Pit” will be essentially meaningless. Basically, what the new rules mean is that the only things “taken to the Pit” will be non-SDMB-related people and incidents. The Pit will become a place only for ranting about your asshole uncle at Thanksgiving, or about something that some dimwit politician did, or for recreational outrage about the latest rapist/serial killer/pedophile/animal abuser. The days of the Pit as a place to thrash out the frustrations that sometimes build up in other threads, or to rail on other Dopers for being morons, are over. There will, essentially, be no more Pittings of other Dopers, period. RIP. ---
**Author:** ![Arnold\_Winkelried](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Arnold\_Winkelried](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Arnold_Winkelried)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2009, 7:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-change-the-pit-tagline-new-pit-rules/487212/112 "2009-02-24T19:52:11Z")
> [@Brad\_the\_Impaler](#): > > Perhaps this isn’t the right message board for those people then. Or, we can just say screw the folks who have been here for years, and lets get those imaginary new posters. Don’t forget the existing posters who have been here for years and don’t engage in flamefests in the Pit. Surely they count too? ---
**Author:** ![Starving\_Artist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/aeb1de/32.png) [@Starving\_Artist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Starving_Artist)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2009, 7:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-change-the-pit-tagline-new-pit-rules/487212/113 "2009-02-24T19:52:19Z")
The thing is, this is a business decision, pure and simple. I’m sure it’s very difficult for CL to sell advertising and/or to draw new members from the public at large when there is a forum like the Pit which can be scary and off-putting even to some of our own members. The board has shown itself to be highly resistant to subscription fees and advertising – two things that might, had they been allowed to rise to their free market level, have prevented the sale of the Straight Dope and the changes that are now taking place as a result. I would imagine that from CL’s point of view they may not even want their name associated with this place the way it stands now. Further, from their point of view the membership now is likely small potatoes compared to what it would become if they could market it around the country more freely than they can with the albatross of the Pit in place. Thus, I doubt that they are overly concerned with posters who get little out of the other forums and are here primarily because of the Pit, or who would quit the board in the absense of the Pit. In other words, it’s better for their reputation and it holds the promise of recruiting many more members if they tone down or get rid of the Pit than if they allow it to continue as always. I’m sorry to see these changes as I think the Pit is the most interesting forum and it’s where I spend 98% of my time here. Still I understand the reason for them, and I lay most of the blame for things having come to this point on the posters who have been so deadset against subscriptions (and/or subscription increases) and advertising. My 2 cents, anyway. ---
**Author:** ![Jack\_Batty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jack_batty/32/3201_2.png) [@Jack\_Batty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jack_Batty)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2009, 7:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-change-the-pit-tagline-new-pit-rules/487212/114 "2009-02-24T19:53:49Z")
> [@Arnold\_Winkelried](#): > > Just out of curiosity - did it put a crimp in your lifestyle that you couldn’t insult a poster in GQ? Or that you couldn’t issue death threats against another poster in the Pit? Was that too much nannying for you? Of course not. But if you’re going to host a message board this broad, where varied ideas are bandied about, where heated discussions occur, where the most outlandish concepts are occasionally floated, where discussions on free speech are held more sancrosanct than discussions of the existence of God … where the hell do you come off telling me how I’m to express myself … especially since that hasn’t been the case for the last 9 fucking years I’ve been posting here. ---
**Author:** ![DSYoungEsq](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/c6cbf5/32.png) [@DSYoungEsq](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSYoungEsq)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2009, 7:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-change-the-pit-tagline-new-pit-rules/487212/115 "2009-02-24T19:54:21Z")
> [@SoulFrost](#): > > You wanna tell that to the people who pay money to post there? NO ONE ON THIS BOARD PAYS TO POST. You pay, if you pay, to avoid ads. ---
**Author:** ![Brad\_the\_Impaler](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/8dc957/32.png) [@Brad\_the\_Impaler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Brad_the_Impaler)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2009, 7:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-change-the-pit-tagline-new-pit-rules/487212/116 "2009-02-24T19:56:14Z")
> [@Arnold\_Winkelried](#): > > Don’t forget the existing posters who have been here for years and don’t engage in flamefests in the Pit. Surely they count too? I didn’t realize anyone was forcing them to take part. Please point out where they are required to read and post in those flames, because I was previously unaware of such a rule. ---
**Author:** ![Arnold\_Winkelried](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Arnold\_Winkelried](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Arnold_Winkelried)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2009, 7:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-change-the-pit-tagline-new-pit-rules/487212/117 "2009-02-24T19:57:51Z")
> [@Jack\_Batty](#): > > Of course not. But if you’re going to host a message board this broad, where varied ideas are bandied about, where heated discussions occur, where the most outlandish concepts are occasionally floated, where discussions on free speech are held more sancrosanct than discussions of the existence of God … where the hell do you come off telling me how I’m to express myself … especially since that hasn’t been the case for the last 9 fucking years I’ve been posting here. There have always been restrictions on “free speech” here. The pornography issue for one. I always thought it ridiculous that I can’t post a link to a picture of a naked person because of the prudishness of modern-day society. I mentioned a couple of other restrictions on “free speech”. You were already being given rules on how to express yourself. The question here is “are these new rules such that they will stifle discussion?” I personally think not. ---
**Author:** ![Tranquilis](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tranquilis/32/3639_2.png) [@Tranquilis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tranquilis)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2009, 7:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-change-the-pit-tagline-new-pit-rules/487212/118 "2009-02-24T19:58:14Z")
> [@Arnold\_Winkelried](#): > > Don’t forget the existing posters who have been here for years and don’t engage in flamefests in the Pit. Surely they count too? Based upon my observations of the conversations between you and various Members and Charter Members, apparently not. ---
**Author:** ![Cervaise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cervaise/32/16693_2.png) [@Cervaise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cervaise)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2009, 7:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-change-the-pit-tagline-new-pit-rules/487212/119 "2009-02-24T19:58:32Z")
> [@DSYoungEsq](#): > > You pay, if you pay, to avoid ads. Or you use Firefox. ---
**Author:** ![SoulFrost](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f07891/32.png) [@SoulFrost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SoulFrost)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2009, 7:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-change-the-pit-tagline-new-pit-rules/487212/120 "2009-02-24T19:59:23Z")
> [@DSYoungEsq](#): > > NO ONE ON THIS BOARD PAYS TO POST. > > You pay, if you pay, to avoid ads. I imagine that most pay to support the board they know and love. Or, at least, used to. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-change-the-pit-tagline-new-pit-rules/487212.md?page=5) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-change-the-pit-tagline-new-pit-rules/487212.md?page=7)