What IS the purpose of the BBQ Pit?

[Runs_With_Scissors]

And does it differ from the original intent?

I’ve actually been wanting to post this for some time, but I couldn’t figure out where to post it. “About This Message Board” didn’t seem like the right place because it’s not a technical question or a concern. And I was worried people would think I was just being a dick or, worse, just plain stupid.

I read my agreement I signed when I, uh, signed up. I’ve read every rule post and sticky. I’m still unclear about the point of The Pit.

The sign on the door says, “If you gotta flame, do it here. This is the place for all complaints and other discussion regarding administration of the SDMB.”

But then a rule says, “If the ONLY reason you are here on the SDMB is to complain about the message board, the way it’s run, the staff, or other posters, this is a violation of the “Don’t Be A Jerk” rule. I would think that this is self-evident, but apparently it’s not. So if your posts are ONLY bitching about the board, the staff, or other posters, don’t be surprised if you are banned without warning.”

So, when the sign on the door says this is the place to complain about the administration of the SDMB, it doesn’t really mean it? Or is this rule trying to dictate how you say it, not *what *you say? Or is it saying that I have to flame about something else and just casually throw in a complaint about the banned topics so that it’s not the only reason I’m here? Or does it LITERALLY mean that if I have never posted a serious question or answer, and the ONLY reason I’m here is to flame the admins, I’m being a jerk and will be banned? So, if I participate positively at least once, I can flame away about the admins?

Or does it mean it’s the place for “all complaints,” meaning…all complaints about everything, and that “all complaints” is separate from the second half which reads, “other discussion regarding administration of the SDMB,” and means I can discuss the administration of the SDMB but I can’t flame about it (even though this is a flame room?)?

Who or what is supposed to be flamed here? Again, the sign says it’s for complaints and other discussion regarding administration of the SDMB, but all I ever see is complaints about things going on in the posters’ lives. (Not that I’m complaining…this is one of my favorite message boards in the fine family of SDMBs.)

Thanks,

[minty_green]

::Bitchslaps brian_ax::

[Lynn_Bodoni]

But then a rule says, “If the ONLY reason you are here on the SDMB is to complain about the message board, the way it’s run, the staff, or other posters, this is a violation of the “Don’t Be A Jerk” rule. I would think that this is self-evident, but apparently it’s not. So if your posts are ONLY bitching about the board, the staff, or other posters, don’t be surprised if you are banned without warning.”

Some people only posted complaints about the SDMB, the way it’s run, its staff, or other posters. They did not ask any General Questions, they did not wish to Debate (greatly or otherwise), they did not Share any Mundane Pointless stuff. All they did was bitch about the SDMB, in whole or in part. This is fine, they can do that…but not using our hospitality.

If you’re not posting on this message board ONLY or MOSTLY to bitch about it, then go ahead and post your problems with it. That rule is just to weed out trolls.

Lynn
For the Straight Dope

[Bill_H]

The point of the pit is for babys to whine. It’s an anything-goes mud-pit with no rules and no respect. Frankly, it’s an embarrassment to one of the finest destinations on the internet.

[silenus]

@Bill H.

The point of the pit is for babys to whine. It’s an anything-goes mud-pit with no rules and no respect. Frankly, it’s an embarrassment to one of the finest destinations on the internet.

Sez you!
(Punk!)

[TVeblen]

@brian_ax

Who or what is supposed to be flamed here? Again, the sign says it’s for complaints and other discussion regarding administration of the SDMB, but all I ever see is complaints about things going on in the posters’ lives. (Not that I’m complaining…this is one of my favorite message boards in the fine family of SDMBs.)

The BBQ Pit is the sidewalk outside the bar; the lawn outside the party. Specific topics aren’t the crucial distinction; it’s the manner of expression. Look at it this way: issues can be discussed different ways, depending on how the issue is posed and how the participants feel like approaching it. There’s huge bleed-over on topical matters here. Casting hot-button issues (or even banal ones) by forum is rather a hobby here.
SDMB preference is always for considered, substantiated discussion of, well, just about everything. The Pit is where the usual rules of discussion are relaxed. They still exist; they’re just more flexible. Topics? That varies widely. Irritations and outrages in posters’ lives are pretty constant. (And always subject to ruthlessly honest responses, btw.) But the Pit is also the steam vent for issues ranging from circumscion to vegetarians, astrology, telemarketers and endless hassling over politics, religion, etc.–and how the board is run.
The Pit is a particulary volatile annex, brian_ax, but it’s just that: one option among the whole. We just keep a very careful eye on anyone who ignores the entire array.*

Veb
Which isn’t you, and Lynn already said it better. I just thought I’d gild the lily.

[Silentgoldfish]

@Bill H.

The point of the pit is for babys to whine. It’s an anything-goes mud-pit with no rules and no respect. Frankly, it’s an embarrassment to one of the finest destinations on the internet.

No, that would be “Great” Debates

[t-keela]

@brian_ax

And I was worried people would think I was just being a dick or, worse, just plain stupid.

I wasn’t aware that, “being a dick” or “just plain stupid” was against the rules. If that’s the case, about half of us are gonna get canned now that you brought it up. Plus, you got the “Queen of the threadkillers” into this… :smack:
Excuse me, make that your Highness

Hey Lynn I’m just funnin… tell me something sweetie… I was honestly gonna send you a box of chocolates… no really, I was. I know the health shit you’ve been through and I wanted to send you a box just 'cause…
I owe ya one…heh

for real this time, where would I send 'em?

[blowero]

@Bill H.

The point of the pit is for babys to whine. It’s an anything-goes mud-pit with no rules and no respect. Frankly, it’s an embarrassment to one of the finest destinations on the internet.

You spelled babies wrong.

[t-keela]

@blowero

You spelled babies wrong.

Is that the best you could come up with? Talk about babies…

[blowero]

@t-keela

Is that the best you could come up with? Talk about babies…

Nuh, uh - you’re a baby.

[Miller]

@Bill H.

The point of the pit is for babys to whine. It’s an anything-goes mud-pit with no rules and no respect. Frankly, it’s an embarrassment to one of the finest destinations on the internet.

I disagree. This is the best forum on the board. If it weren’t for the Pit, I’d probably never have become a regular poster. It’s got everything you could find in any other forum, refined, and with swear words added. Great Debates? Not as great as the debates we get in here, and these ones often have real resolutions! Mundane and Pointless? We got that, too, but with the added bonus of actually being interesting. IMHO? I got IMHO for ya: you’re a moron!* Cafe Society? Last week, we had a fifteen page pit thread on the value of abstract art. How fucking cool is that?

I tell ya, if they ever got rid of the BBQ Pit, they’d get rid of the heart of the SDMB. The rest of the forums would wither and die without it.

*Not really. It’s just an example.

[t-keela]

Miller I’m beginning to think you’re right. Because the really hot ass debates seem like they wind up here anyway. I really don’t like the profanity because some folks it seems like that’s the only reason they’re here. It still pisses me off when i submit an opinion and it gets moved here automatically because (I guess) the MOD sees it coming. But you’re right and especiall lately it seems with all of the political and religious debates. I’ve been a part of several lately that wound up here and there was a better repertoire (sp?) than what I’ve experienced in GD as of late.

blowero I was wrong. You did come up with something better.

[Grrr]

Yeah, I’m thinking they need to rephrase how they describe the BBQ pit. When I was new here I ignored the pit for a long time because the way I understood the discription was; you could only bitch about this board. As opposed to bitching about everything - life in general.

Oh and since this is the pit.

[way over the top hat on]BASTARD ADMINS! REPHRASE HOW YOU DESCRIBE THE PIT GAH DAMMIT!![way over the top hat off]

[Helen_s_Eidolon]

I agree, Miller. The Pit is all the other forums distilled and made interesting.

[Digital_Stimulus]

@Bill H.

The point of the pit is for babys to whine. It’s an anything-goes mud-pit with no rules and no respect. Frankly, it’s an embarrassment to one of the finest destinations on the internet.

Actually, I think the pit is a necessary component of maintaining a certain level of civility in the other forums. Disagreements happen, tempers flare, harsh words are exchanged. The pit provides a mechanism for resolving (or at least defusing) nastiness that would otherwise poison other discussions. An excellent example of forethought in handling the inevitable blowups that occur in discussions that people actually care about.

[Evil_Captor]

@blowero

You spelled babies wrong.

The proper Pit form is: “You fucking spelled “babies” wrong, you ASSHOLE!”

[fortytwo]

@Evil Captor

The proper Pit form is: “You fucking spelled “babies” wrong, you ASSHOLE!”

I disagree you fucking idiot, it should be:"You fucking spelt “babies” wrong, you arsehole! "

[Runs_With_Scissors]

Ahhhh…I get it. Thanks for your replies.

Originally, and I mean years ago, I thought it was just a place for posters to flame each other. I’ll bet it was two years before I ventured in here…and found it one of the funniest, wittiest, incisive places on the 'net, no matter what some people say.

I also didn’t realize that troll bait from other boards gets moved here. Makes sense.

Big sloppy kisses,

[InvidiousCourgette]

Just want to add my agreement that this is the best forum in the SDMB. I never used to come here either, because I did not want to read people bitching and whining. Then I discovered that was not how it worked. There are some great debates here, enacted in very civilised terms. Often I find them more compelling than equivalent discussions in GD. And, if it seems appropriate, you have the freedom to use profanities and begin and end sentences with and. Perfect.

Anyway, since this is the pit I shall profane this thread. It so sucks. Just joking