# Rants and Other Stuff Only in the Pit. **URL:** \ **Category:** About This Message Board\ **Created:** [December 27, 2017, 5:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rants-and-other-stuff-only-in-the-pit/805395 "2017-12-27T17:18:33Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 16\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Jim\_B](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jim_b/32/4338_2.png) [@Jim\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jim_B)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2017, 5:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rants-and-other-stuff-only-in-the-pit/805395/1 "2017-12-27T17:18:33Z")
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. Is it a legal issue, perhaps, too? 🙂 🙂 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Morgenstern](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Morgenstern](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morgenstern)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2017, 5:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rants-and-other-stuff-only-in-the-pit/805395/2 "2017-12-27T17:47:08Z")
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. That’s the disadvantage to a pit. ---
**Author:** ![Maserschmidt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/maserschmidt/32/18829_2.png) [@Maserschmidt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maserschmidt)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2017, 6:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rants-and-other-stuff-only-in-the-pit/805395/3 "2017-12-27T18:09:19Z")
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. ---
**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:** [December 27, 2017, 6:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rants-and-other-stuff-only-in-the-pit/805395/4 "2017-12-27T18:28:21Z")
Poster A starts a thread. Posters A thru Q participate in the thread. Poster F posts something that pisses of Poster M. Thread rapidly devolves info a fight between F and M. Or the argument goes to the Pit and all the posters can still enjoy the original discussion. ---
**Author:** ![cochrane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cochrane/32/10441_2.png) [@cochrane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cochrane)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2017, 6:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rants-and-other-stuff-only-in-the-pit/805395/5 "2017-12-27T18:44:24Z")
Even the Pit has its standards, though: > [@Ed Zotti](#): > > The BBQ Pit is the forum for rants about the outside world or quarrels between posters - often the first turns into the second. . . . > > Rants should be suitable for the Pit > > Cutesy, “I Pit puppies for being sooo cute!” non-Pittings are not welcome here. Put them in MPSIMS. Rants which are genuine but simply too tepid or mundane for the Pit will be moved or closed as we see fit. Lastly, rants about personal trauma that are expected to generate mostly supportive, sympathetic responses will likely be moved to MPSIMS. This is not a commentary on the seriousness of said life events, merely on the best forum for that type of thread. > > The Pit is not your personal diary > > The Pit isn’t Cranks’ Corner or group therapy. Posters who glut the forum with threads or consistently hijack the threads of others may be subject to moderator action. No, there isn’t a magic number of threads or posts per day that are acceptable. (And if you’re even asking, you probably need a LiveJournal.) > **[Revised Forum Rules for the BBQ Pit: read this before posting](https://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=507985)** > > The BBQ Pit is the forum for rants about the outside world or quarrels between posters - often the first turns into the second. Although the standards of discourse are looser than in the other forums, the Pit is NOT a free-for-all - you don’t have to... ---
**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:** [December 27, 2017, 7:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rants-and-other-stuff-only-in-the-pit/805395/6 "2017-12-27T19:46:27Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![Grrr](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/grrr/32/146_2.png) [@Grrr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grrr)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2017, 8:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rants-and-other-stuff-only-in-the-pit/805395/7 "2017-12-27T20:20:33Z")
I wonder what GD would be like sans this rule. 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? ---
**Author:** ![Kent\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kent_clark/32/105_2.png) [@Kent\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kent_Clark)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2017, 9:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rants-and-other-stuff-only-in-the-pit/805395/8 "2017-12-27T21:50:42Z")
> [@Jim\_B](#): > > I am not complaining. It’s probably a good idea, in fact. That’s why TPTB set up the Pit originally. 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. ---
**Author:** ![DSYoungEsq](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/c6cbf5/32.png) [@DSYoungEsq](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSYoungEsq)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2017, 4:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rants-and-other-stuff-only-in-the-pit/805395/9 "2017-12-28T04:24:38Z")
If I’m not mistaken, The Pit goes quite a ways back. Many of the forums here are relatively young, but The Pit appeared early on. ---
**Author:** ![kopek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kopek/32/337_2.png) [@kopek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kopek)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2017, 5:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rants-and-other-stuff-only-in-the-pit/805395/10 "2017-12-28T05:15:46Z")
> [@cochrane](#): > > Even the Pit has its standards, though: > > [Revised Forum Rules for the BBQ Pit: read this before posting - The BBQ Pit - Straight Dope Message Board](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=507985) And lovely chairs; never forget the overstuffed slightly worn but attractive chairs. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![cochrane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cochrane/32/10441_2.png) [@cochrane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cochrane)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2017, 7:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rants-and-other-stuff-only-in-the-pit/805395/11 "2017-12-28T07:35:13Z")
> [@kopek](#): > > And lovely chairs; never forget the overstuffed slightly worn but attractive chairs. 😉 Where we all sit around drinking tea and exchanging recipes. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2017, 12:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rants-and-other-stuff-only-in-the-pit/805395/12 "2017-12-28T12:23:28Z")
> [@Grrr](#): > > … > 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? Oh so very very thin. Gossamer thin. ---
**Author:** ![DSYoungEsq](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/c6cbf5/32.png) [@DSYoungEsq](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSYoungEsq)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2017, 3:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rants-and-other-stuff-only-in-the-pit/805395/13 "2017-12-28T15:07:03Z")
> [@kopek](#): > > And lovely chairs; never forget the overstuffed slightly worn but attractive chairs. 😉 Put her in the comfy chair! 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Morgenstern](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Morgenstern](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morgenstern)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2017, 3:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rants-and-other-stuff-only-in-the-pit/805395/14 "2017-12-28T15:23:23Z")
> [@cochrane](#): > > Where we all sit around drinking tea and exchanging recipes. 😃 REPORTED! Bringing tea into the pit is not allowed. You’ve been here long enough to know that. Coffee or beer only. Scotch on occasion. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2017, 6:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rants-and-other-stuff-only-in-the-pit/805395/15 "2017-12-28T18:56:57Z")
> [@Jim\_B](#): > > 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. > > 🙂 🙂 🙂 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. ---
**Author:** ![kopek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kopek/32/337_2.png) [@kopek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kopek)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2017, 9:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rants-and-other-stuff-only-in-the-pit/805395/16 "2017-12-28T21:56:52Z")
> [@cochrane](#): > > Where we all sit around drinking tea and exchanging recipes. 😃 And keeping our backs well protected. Remember, its always the innocent bystander who hits the slab first. 😃