# What IS the purpose of the BBQ Pit? **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [October 17, 2004, 4:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-purpose-of-the-bbq-pit/269627 "2004-10-17T04:25:10Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Bill\_H](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/a5b964/32.png) [@Bill\_H](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bill_H)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2004, 6:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-purpose-of-the-bbq-pit/269627/21 "2004-10-17T18:05:59Z")
**jkramer3** wrote > [@](#): > > Actually, I think the pit is a necessary component of maintaining a certain level of civility in the other forums. I disagree. When people get out of line, they should be told “stop being a jerk, or you’ll be banned.” Not “if you have to talk like that, take it to the pit.” ---
**Author:** ![fessie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/c37758/32.png) [@fessie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fessie)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2004, 8:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-purpose-of-the-bbq-pit/269627/22 "2004-10-17T20:12:29Z")
I think you’re missing the point, **Bill**. Why bother having a cyber community if it’s going to operate exactly the same as the rest of society? Sure, IRL when someone’s being a jerk I won’t bother with them at all. Just walking away is the best choice. Which is the rough equivalent of “stop being a jerk, or you’ll be banned.” The advantage of a cyber community is the opportunity to have all sorts of “unsafe” conversations that you’d never get to try IRL. Language you’d be embarrassed for your Mother to overhear. Topics you can’t discuss while shopping with your best friend. Points of view from a range of people who live in far-flung locations. I think of the Pit as the place where you really have to mean what you’re saying. An insincere pitting never cuts it. And, because it’s the Dope, you’re still held to a certain moral and intellectual standard. Just being angry isn’t enough, either. And sometimes the ignorance that’s fought turns out to be your own. ---
**Author:** ![Digital\_Stimulus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/aeb1de/32.png) [@Digital\_Stimulus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Digital_Stimulus)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2004, 10:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-purpose-of-the-bbq-pit/269627/23 "2004-10-17T22:40:01Z")
> [@Bill H.](#): > > I disagree. When people get out of line, they should be told “stop being a jerk, or you’ll be banned.” Not “if you have to talk like that, take it to the pit.” This **is** in the pit and I feel like I have an obligation to cuss or sumthin’. 🙂 But there’s no call for it, so I just have to respectfully disagree. In any healthy community where opposing ideas get exchanged, tempers flare. It’s better to have a mechanism to deal with that fact than to simply ban people left and right. That way lies group think and ditto-headed-ness. Just to be clear: I’m not saying that I disagree with your sentiment. I just take to heart the saying “In theory, there’s no difference between theory and practice. In practice, there is.” ---
**Author:** ![Derleth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b9e5f3/32.png) [@Derleth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Derleth)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2004, 11:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-purpose-of-the-bbq-pit/269627/24 "2004-10-17T23:00:23Z")
> [@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 know, I can’t decide how best to respond to this junk. Should I say “Don’t worry, you fit right in”, and insult him with the classic backhand, or should I say “Which is why you post to Pit threads”, and get him with an inconsistency? Decisions, decisions. If only he were worth the time it would take to make up my mind. ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2004, 12:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-purpose-of-the-bbq-pit/269627/25 "2004-10-18T00:13:48Z")
> [@Bill H.](#): > > **jkramer3** wrote > > I disagree. When people get out of line, they should be told “stop being a jerk, or you’ll be banned.” Not “if you have to talk like that, take it to the pit.” See, this is why I like the Pit: because once a debate turns hostile, that doesn’t mean that the debate is over. I can’t count the number of threads where I’ve seen a friendly resolution _after_ the major contenders have gone after each other like rabid wombats on angel dust. The “no flaming in GD” rule (while it does have its uses) puts a barrier on the debate: you can take the issue right up to that line, but if you get pissed, you’re required to tamp it down and ignore it. I think this affects the poster’s ability to reason. In the Pit, posters can cross that line, burn off the emotion by flaming, and then, if they’re so inclined (and if it’s possible given the nature of the debate) return to the argument with a clearer head. Plus, it’s a hell of a lot more entertaining to watch. ---
**Author:** ![LilyoftheValley](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/54ee81/32.png) [@LilyoftheValley](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LilyoftheValley)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2004, 12:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-purpose-of-the-bbq-pit/269627/26 "2004-10-18T00:42:36Z")
> [@TVeblen](#): > > Which isn’t you, and Lynn already said it better. I just thought I’d gild the lily. Oh, _now_ I get it. The purpose of the Pit is to cover innocent, unsuspecting members in gold. What did I ever do to you, huh? 😛 No, I didn’t come here on a vanity search. ---
**Author:** ![Duckster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/duckster/32/1244_2.png) [@Duckster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duckster)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2004, 12:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-purpose-of-the-bbq-pit/269627/27 "2004-10-18T00:48:35Z")
> [@brian\_ax](#): > > I also didn’t realize that troll bait from other boards gets moved here. Troll bait? Can you get that at a fish and tackle shop? ---
**Author:** ![moriah](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b2d939/32.png) [@moriah](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/moriah)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2004, 4:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-purpose-of-the-bbq-pit/269627/28 "2004-10-18T04:03:07Z")
Actually, there’s been several statements by mods/admins warning not to make a post in the pit all about being able to swear. IOW, there’s no need to throw in gratuitous swearing just because you’re in the Pit. And just throwing out swear words without making a point is, well, pointless. It’s like all those extraneous, ‘thank-you’ and ‘me too’ and ‘rofl’ posts which are frowned upon. And so, there is no need to swear. In fact, IMO, if you need to use swear words to insult or shock someone you’re arguing with, that just means you’re an uneducated, immature, backwoods idiot who needs to grow up before you’re allowed to continue playing on mommy’s computer. The only people who are offended at swear words are as ignorant and childish as the ones using the swear words. Freedom doesn’t mean license. ---
**Author:** ![roger\_thornhill](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/d9b06d/32.png) [@roger\_thornhill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/roger_thornhill)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2004, 4:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-purpose-of-the-bbq-pit/269627/29 "2004-10-18T04:18:51Z")
I’ve always considered the Pit to be my natural habitat, but I think that’s just as much because people come more quickly to the point here as because of my nutty views and polemical style. Another advantage is that differences between people tend to be resolved more quickly, and hopefully more accurately, here. You get a better impression of how much of a dickhead someone really is, and can change your mind (as well as your views/beliefs) in a less face-threatening environment. A special bonus of the Pit is that people who wouldn’t normally swear make a special effort to, which is kind of endearing. That the Pit works to engender and encourage good discussion is evidenced by the fact that there is a tendency for serious Pit threads to become a debate. Wisely, such threads are not moved, since I think there’s an implicit understanding that doing so would be to give them the kiss of death. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2004, 4:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-purpose-of-the-bbq-pit/269627/30 "2004-10-18T04:24:54Z")
Great Debates is nothing but noise. The Pit is where things get resolved. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Giraffe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/giraffe/32/129_2.png) [@Giraffe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Giraffe)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2004, 4:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-purpose-of-the-bbq-pit/269627/31 "2004-10-18T04:59:37Z")
> [@Bill H.](#): > > **jkramer3** wrote > > I disagree. When people get out of line, they should be told “stop being a jerk, or you’ll be banned.” Not “if you have to talk like that, take it to the pit.” _:: knocks **Bill H.**'s fancy top hat off and steps on it ::_ Now beat it, before I get mad and smudge your monocle. ---
**Author:** ![gum](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/bbe5ce/32.png) [@gum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gum)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2004, 5:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-purpose-of-the-bbq-pit/269627/32 "2004-10-18T05:04:19Z")
Originaly posted by **moriah** > [@](#): > > \*And so, there is no need to swear. In fact, IMO, if you need to use swear words to insult or shock someone you’re arguing with, that just means you’re an uneducated, immature, backwoods idiot \* hehehehe 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Digital\_Stimulus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/aeb1de/32.png) [@Digital\_Stimulus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Digital_Stimulus)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2004, 6:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-purpose-of-the-bbq-pit/269627/33 "2004-10-18T06:07:02Z")
> [@moriah](#): > > And so, there is no need to swear. In fact, IMO, if you need to use swear words to insult or shock someone you’re arguing with, that just means you’re an uneducated, immature, backwoods idiot who needs to grow up before you’re allowed to continue playing on mommy’s computer. The only people who are offended at swear words are as ignorant and childish as the ones using the swear words. Oh, bugger off. 😉 A well placed expletive often has exactly the desired effect of takin’ the piss out of someone. IMO, it’s arrogant, ignorant, and prudish to impugn someone’s viewpoint (or status) just because they “work blue”. Perhaps you should have a word with vice-president Cheney… ---
**Author:** ![blowero](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/41988e/32.png) [@blowero](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blowero)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2004, 8:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-purpose-of-the-bbq-pit/269627/34 "2004-10-18T08:06:44Z")
> [@Vetch](#): > > I disagree you fucking idiot, it should be:"You fucking spelt “babies” wrong, you arsehole! " Bloimey! 'es got you there, 'e 'as. ---
**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:** [October 18, 2004, 10:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-purpose-of-the-bbq-pit/269627/35 "2004-10-18T10:06:06Z")
“Bloimey?” Apparently our British speaker has picked up a bit of a Bronx accent. (“Hey Oil, I’ll be back in an hour…I gotta change the earl in my car.”) ---
**Author:** ![blowero](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/41988e/32.png) [@blowero](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blowero)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2004, 9:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-purpose-of-the-bbq-pit/269627/36 "2004-10-19T09:06:13Z")
> [@Starving Artist](#): > > “Bloimey?” That’s how Eloiza Doo-li-uhl would say it, Oi reckon. ---
**Author:** ![roger\_thornhill](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/d9b06d/32.png) [@roger\_thornhill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/roger_thornhill)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2004, 9:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-purpose-of-the-bbq-pit/269627/37 "2004-10-19T09:08:23Z")
Well, Audrey Hepburn and Dick van Dyke for certain, guv’nor! [tipping hat] ---
**Author:** ![Ilsa\_Lund](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/a6a055/32.png) [@Ilsa\_Lund](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ilsa_Lund)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2004, 9:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-purpose-of-the-bbq-pit/269627/38 "2004-10-19T09:09:46Z")
> [@roger thornhill](#): > > Well, Audrey Hepburn and Dick van Dyke for certain, guv’nor! [tipping hat] Somewhere, Julie Andrews is crying. ---
**Author:** ![blowero](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/41988e/32.png) [@blowero](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blowero)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2004, 9:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-purpose-of-the-bbq-pit/269627/39 "2004-10-19T09:12:47Z")
> [@roger thornhill](#): > > Well, Audrey Hepburn and Dick van Dyke for certain, guv’nor! [tipping hat] You mean Dick van Dyke didn’t do the _definitive_ cockney accent? 😉 ---
**Author:** ![roger\_thornhill](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/d9b06d/32.png) [@roger\_thornhill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/roger_thornhill)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2004, 11:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-purpose-of-the-bbq-pit/269627/40 "2004-10-19T11:59:09Z")
> [@blowero](#): > > You mean Dick van Dyke didn’t do the _definitive_ cockney accent? 😉 That’s a difficult one, **blowero**. On the one hand, he delved into his inner being in an attempt to give substance to a kind of primal cry, a passion that demanded an outlet as a type of call to the universal brotherhood of working class chimneysweeps. On the other hand, he could have, say, visited London before taking the part. You pays yer money, chief. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-purpose-of-the-bbq-pit/269627.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-purpose-of-the-bbq-pit/269627.md?page=3)