# What is it with the BBQ pit forum **URL:** \ **Category:** About This Message Board\ **Created:** [January 10, 2011, 12:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-it-with-the-bbq-pit-forum/567048 "2011-01-10T00:48:47Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![raindog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/2bfe46/32.png) [@raindog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/raindog)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2011, 7:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-it-with-the-bbq-pit-forum/567048/61 "2011-01-12T19:47:17Z")
> [@bucketybuck](#): > > You have 312 posts in the pit. Just sayin. Assuming that’s an accurate number, the more telling information is the content of those posts. You’ll not find me shrieking names at other Dopers simply because I can. ---
**Author:** ![elbows](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/b3f665/32.png) [@elbows](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elbows)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2011, 7:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-it-with-the-bbq-pit-forum/567048/62 "2011-01-12T19:49:42Z")
It’s here because some members find it a useful outlet, others find it entertaining. Yet others find it neither and, so, don’t visit there. See how that works? That you don’t understand isn’t a crime, but no one, especially a mod, needs to justify it’s existence for you or anyone else. If you don’t care for it, don’t go there. Not sure, beyond this what you’re looking for here. Care to explain so we can understand what you’re after? ---
**Author:** ![raindog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/2bfe46/32.png) [@raindog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/raindog)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2011, 7:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-it-with-the-bbq-pit-forum/567048/63 "2011-01-12T19:52:21Z")
> [@Miller](#): > > …snip…We all need our illusions, I suppose, but I can’t help but note that, civilized as you are - and I do mean that sincerely, btw, you’re one of the more even-keeled posters on this site - you couldn’t help but open up your participation in this thread with a swipe at posters who participate in the Pit. You’re right. I have noticed that over the last year my posting style has become more acerbic, sniping, and semi-snarky. I try to become more aware of that, and, to the extent I allow it to advance, my contributions to intelligent discourse (to the extent I am capable, right?) is diminished. Going to the Pit to vent my spleen does _nothing_ to fight ignorance. ---
**Author:** ![Munch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/munch/32/5281_2.png) [@Munch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Munch)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2011, 8:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-it-with-the-bbq-pit-forum/567048/64 "2011-01-12T20:40:29Z")
> [@raindog](#): > > Going to the Pit to vent my spleen does _nothing_ to fight ignorance. In and of itself, no. But it’s also not constructive to participate in non-Pit threads when your spleen is chock full of bile, which makes the ignorance fighting that much more difficult. ---
**Author:** ![raindog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/2bfe46/32.png) [@raindog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/raindog)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2011, 8:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-it-with-the-bbq-pit-forum/567048/65 "2011-01-12T20:51:28Z")
> [@Munch](#): > > In and of itself, no. But it’s also not constructive to participate in non-Pit threads when your spleen is chock full of bile, which makes the ignorance fighting that much more difficult. true dat ---
**Author:** ![srzss05](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/898d66/32.png) [@srzss05](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/srzss05)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2011, 9:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-it-with-the-bbq-pit-forum/567048/66 "2011-01-12T21:05:51Z")
> [@elbows](#): > > It’s here because some members find it a useful outlet, others find it entertaining. I’m sure the first part of that sentence is part of the reason for the second part. ---
**Author:** ![67java89](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/6/aeb1de/32.png) [@67java89](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/67java89)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2011, 11:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-it-with-the-bbq-pit-forum/567048/67 "2011-01-12T23:05:11Z")
Just think of the Pit as a boxing ring, or Festivus with the “airing of grievances” ---
**Author:** ![VinylTurnip](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b2d939/32.png) [@VinylTurnip](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VinylTurnip)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2011, 1:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-it-with-the-bbq-pit-forum/567048/68 "2011-01-13T01:11:31Z")
> [@raindog](#): > > You’re right. I have noticed that over the last year my posting style has become more acerbic, sniping, and semi-snarky. I try to become more aware of that, and, to the extent I allow it to advance, my contributions to intelligent discourse (to the extent I am capable, right?) is diminished. Eh, intelligent discourse isn’t for everyone. Welcome to the team! ---
**Author:** ![Erdosain](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/erdosain/32/7284_2.png) [@Erdosain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Erdosain)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2011, 4:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-it-with-the-bbq-pit-forum/567048/69 "2011-01-13T04:44:37Z")
Well, let this be a lesson to all of us. She pitted the Pit, and now she’s banned. When you gaze into the Pit, the Pit bans your ass. ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2011, 6:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-it-with-the-bbq-pit-forum/567048/70 "2011-01-13T06:16:36Z")
> [@raindog](#): > > \ > > Going to the Pit to vent my spleen does _nothing_ to fight ignorance. Maybe not _your_ spleen, but in my opinion, the best discussions here take place in the Pit. Not all the discussions are great, but some certainly are. ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2011, 7:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-it-with-the-bbq-pit-forum/567048/71 "2011-01-13T07:17:05Z")
> [@Marley23](#): > > It can be fun and it’s a good release valve. There are rules against insults and other kinds of behavior in the other forums, but there is not a rule against it for the entire site. And it’s not only for attacking other posters. Bullshit. It’s in the terms of service for the site as a whole, as I noted a couple of months ago, but unevenly applied depending on the forum and the mod. ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2011, 8:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-it-with-the-bbq-pit-forum/567048/72 "2011-01-13T08:50:10Z")
> [@raindog](#): > > You’re right. I have noticed that over the last year my posting style has become more acerbic, sniping, and semi-snarky. I try to become more aware of that, and, to the extent I allow it to advance, my contributions to intelligent discourse (to the extent I am capable, right?) is diminished. > > Going to the Pit to vent my spleen does _nothing_ to fight ignorance. Not really. Whether you post in the Pit, or deal with your anger or frustration in another way, it’s very nearly impossible to have intelligent discourse while your brain is being coopted by those emotions. I also believe the Pit does fight ignorance: just of another sort. If it weren’t for the Pit, I would not know what behaviors on this board are considered annoying. I at least would have no idea how angry such behaviors made posters, and might thus continue in the unwanted behavior, while only serving to piss people off. For those of us whose goal is to try to be nice to others, that doesn’t help. ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2011, 8:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-it-with-the-bbq-pit-forum/567048/73 "2011-01-13T08:57:52Z")
> [@Snowboarder\_Bo](#): > > Bullshit. It’s in the terms of service for the site as a whole, as I noted a couple of months ago, but unevenly applied depending on the forum and the mod. There’s a loophole in the terms: > [@](#): > > By registering and using the board you acknowledge this right and agree to abide by our rules and to submit to their interpretation and enforcement by our moderators and editors. This means that a user must adhere to certain rules, and those rules are maintained and interpreted by the moderators. That gives them the ability to treat different forums differently. Still, I agree that I would prefer a registration agreement that was more explicit and up-to-date, and not just an obvious legal disclaimer. ---
**Author:** ![Giles](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/giles/32/60_2.png) [@Giles](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Giles)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2011, 4:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-it-with-the-bbq-pit-forum/567048/74 "2011-01-13T16:12:14Z")
> [@bucketybuck](#): > > You have 312 posts in the pit. Just sayin. I have 574 posts in the Pit. I don’t think that says very much about my style of posting. ---
**Author:** ![BlankSlate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blankslate/32/80_2.png) [@BlankSlate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BlankSlate)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2011, 7:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-it-with-the-bbq-pit-forum/567048/75 "2011-01-13T19:11:40Z")
If Lisalan was a troll, why is it these ATMB threads haven’t been deleted? ---
**Author:** ![Frank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Frank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frank)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2011, 7:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-it-with-the-bbq-pit-forum/567048/76 "2011-01-13T19:39:22Z")
> [@Giles](#): > > I have 574 posts in the Pit. I don’t think that says very much about my style of posting. I max out at 750 just since July of 2009. I’m pretty sure I know what that says about me. ---
**Author:** ![Frank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Frank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frank)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2011, 7:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-it-with-the-bbq-pit-forum/567048/77 "2011-01-13T19:41:00Z")
> [@BlankSlate](#): > > If Lisalan was a troll, why is it these ATMB threads haven’t been deleted? Troll posts aren’t usually deleted upon banning. (Sock posts aren’t deleted to the same extent that they used to be, either.) I’m surprised it wasn’t locked, but I guess they figure there is a decent discussion here. ---
**Author:** ![DSeid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dseid/32/20194_2.png) [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2011, 11:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-it-with-the-bbq-pit-forum/567048/78 "2011-01-14T23:27:16Z")
Internet behavioral norms are different than behavior norms in real life. We all know that. The vast majority of sites are full of people posting jerkishly. That IS normative MB behavior, not like in real life. This board has multiple places to engage with others in a manner abnormal for most internet forums and part of the ability to maintain that is give posters a place to act more internet MB normal as well. Ideally Pit threads are more creative bashes than what you find in most of the internet MB world and sometimes they meet that. Often not. As to the IRL analogy - my wife and I both know that we SHOULD go to another room rather than argue at the dinner table in front of the kids. If only we had a mod around to enforce it! ---
**Author:** ![Polerius](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/d78d45/32.png) [@Polerius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Polerius)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2011, 2:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-it-with-the-bbq-pit-forum/567048/79 "2011-01-15T02:33:57Z")
> [@DSeid](#): > > This board has multiple places to engage with others in a manner abnormal for most internet forums and part of the ability to maintain that is give posters a place to act more internet MB normal as well. You are wrong that the high level of discourse in the non-Pit forums is possible because of the Pit. There are other boards that I frequent that don’t have the equivalent of the Pit and yet they manage to have discussions on the same level of discourse as the non-Pit forums here. So, having a Pit-like forum is not needed in order for a message board to function at a high level. Of course, having said that, many people \*want \*to have the Pit around, because they like it. Nothing wrong with that. We don’t have to pretend that it’s a necessary “release valve” without which we cannot have a civil message board. Let’s just say we have it because a high number of posters like it. ---
**Author:** ![Lynn\_Bodoni](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e47c2d/32.png) [@Lynn\_Bodoni](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lynn_Bodoni)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2011, 10:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-it-with-the-bbq-pit-forum/567048/80 "2011-01-15T10:04:45Z")
> [@](#): > > As to the IRL analogy - my wife and I both know that we SHOULD go to another room rather than argue at the dinner table in front of the kids. If only we had a mod around to enforce it! My rates are quite reasonable, all things considered. When should I come to visit? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-it-with-the-bbq-pit-forum/567048.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-it-with-the-bbq-pit-forum/567048.md?page=5)