Why are insults, rants and the like, only allowed in the Pit on the SDMB? I am not complaining. It’s probably a good idea, in fact.
The reason why I ask, is because other message boards usually allow flaming all over their boards. I could be wrong. But judging by the other message boards I’ve seen, SD seems unique in this regard.
The advantages of keeping the snark, flame, sharts, etc. in the pit is that the other forums are free from that.
The disadvantage of only allowing it in the pit? I fear the day I’m reviewing a thread in the pit, and that thread links to a thread in another forum, which I click. Thereafter I post pit appropriate material in the linked thread thinking I was still in the pit.
Then 6 minutes later I see what I posted wasn’t in the pit.
I am on other message boards, and I wish they all used the Pit method. Basically, confine your jerkishness to one place, and we’ll try to keep the rest of the Board somewhat less jerky. It’s not perfect, but it’s miles better than some board.
It’s a deliberate effort to make the boards an ‘adult’ - sort of - haven while still providing space for irritability and blowing off steam.
I may be wrong - others will know more than I - but we also have a solid, strong cadre of moderators with relatively straightforward rules that are enforced. We also provide a place - here, in ATMB - for complaints and suggestions about the rules. No one can get kicked out for complaining - or at least it’s very difficult.
I can recall a couple of times debating minor issues with people in the Pit. We were both still clearly on the same side of the over all issue, but despite that, the minor debate resulted in the other poster telling me what a fucking moron I am.
I mean, I’m not complaining because it’s the Pit. It just makes me wonder how thin is the veil that’s keeping us all civilized?
I’m on a couple of single-subject boards that moderate personal comments so tightly that any comment from one poster to another runs a risk of getting locked. One of them has a section called “Off Topic” that works as a kind MPSIMS/Pit hybrid that works for them.
Oddly, the other half dozen or so board I post in, and the two smaller ones I moderate dont allow flaming anywhere anytime. A couple do have a “off topic” area with somewhat looser limits, but no flaming and nothing like the PIT.