The other board on which I frequently post www.straightdope.com has been around since 1996 and has experienced much of the same issues that it seems FT is only now addressing, call them "growing pains" if you will.


Straightdope.com takes a more passive/aggressive approach to flame wars. Instead of erasing incindiary posts and removing the user, they have allocated one board specifically for flame wars, referred to as The BBQ Pit.


Straightdope.com, from my impression, is substantially larger than Flyertalk. I think the introduction of the BBQ Pit was introduced with the hopes that if only a small percentage of fire-starters used it, it would "clean up" the boards quite a bit. It seems to have worked. Regarding the code-of-conduct, if a user does flame someone within the confines of a non-BBQ Pit discussion board, they, and the post will be removed.


From first glance, the BBQ Pit theme may reflect poorly upon FT. But it comes down to the denial of reality. Everyone knows flame wars happen, though not everyone wants to read them, I present you with one possible solution.


Risque as it may be, The concept works very well at Straightdope, it may here as well.

Happy to help,




[This message has been edited by Peregrine (edited 06-03-2001).]

I think the BBQ pit is an interesting suggestion as it is a shame to lose some of the most passionate posters-passion can be a great thing if rightly focused, due to their inability to accept other opinions...It is akin to asking two loyal bar patrons to "take it outside" but not "86ing" them for life.

Maybe we could call it something more apropriate like "Air Rage", I bet it would be a popular topic.

[This message has been edited by Leisuremiles (edited 06-03-2001).]

Personally, I do not agree with this. I think we should be able to agree to a certain level of conduct to be a member of this site.

I believe this "Pit" would just encourage people to start flaming and would eventually spill over into other parts of the board.

William

Wharvey, I suggest that you, provided you have the time, browse through some of the topics at straightdope.com. You will notice that their users are very much in support of the BBQ pit, making comments like "I believe the subject matter here is more appropriate for the BBQ Pit."

Everyone on that board knows that a flame-like remark is supposed to be made in the BBQ Pit, and the mature users at all times adhere.

Instead of flame like remarks spilling over from the BBQ Pit into the regular boards, flames would rather be directed from regular boards into the pit. At straightdope.com, if a flame spills into a regular board, the moderators may be notified and the user removed.

Wharvey, I can understand your mistrust of the concept. For instance, will the pit be an arena devoid of all respect and dignity? Interesting.

Leisure miles, great name idea.

[This message has been edited by Peregrine (edited 06-03-2001).]

I hate to see an evocative name such as "BBQ Pit" used to connotate something so negative.



BBQ

I posted this before, and it was HERE, and then, overnight, my post DISAPPEARED! What's going on...must be something with the new software. Anyway, see the link below for a discussion of this several months ago:

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum97/HTML/000317.html

Peregrine,

I did do my research before responding to this post.

I hope Randy NEVER creates a forum that allows the language and attacks that are on the straightdope.com website.

I like to think we are more civilized on this board. I believe Randy has decided to be more actively engaged when a member violates the board's standards.

Still a major no for me on the BBQ Pit... as if I get a vote!

William

I agree with wharvey.

The last thing we need here is a green light to flame.

Dan

I have to agree with William. Go take a look at the BBQ Pit for yourself. It is chock full of juvenile, vulgar, profane, etc. posts - - there are very few flame wars. Most of it is just garbage. We don't need anything like that here on FT.