One thing that ATS has taught you

There is obviously a plethora of information available in the various forums and posts on this site. From physics to the metaphysical, from JFK to Jay-Z, from Members to Mods, there are thousands of discussions and personalities active here at any given moment. The possibilities are endless when it comes to learning from ATS. The one overarching thing I have learned here is not to trust myself. Let me explain.
We all have an idea of who we, as a person, are. We believe that we know ourselves, we believe that we know certain things, and we believe that, at the end of the day, this is ourselves. Our reality. But through my interactions here, I have learned that I've ultimately learned nothing. Now, my view of who I am is suspect. What I think I know is the first place I look to find things wrong before I make a post.
Not that I'm saying this is a negative thing. I'm just more conscious of my own personal shortcomings. And my own biases when it comes to what I think I know. It has taught me, above all else, a measure of humility.
What have you learned here?

a reply to: pfishy

I've learned there are more douche bags on ATS than one previously believed possible.

But there's a lot of nice people too, they know who they are.

a reply to: pfishy

Through my interaction and exchanges on ATS, I have become so aware of when people are lonely, afraid, sick and depressed because those feelings usually manifest themselves as anger and turbulent emotions; Failure to use logic and resort to bullying tactics and win at all costs in a discussion.

Wait...this thread will eventually prove my point.

a reply to: awareness10

Yeah, I can't argue too much with the point.

a reply to: olaru12

Unfortunately, yeah, probably.

a reply to: pfishy

One thing that ATS has taught you

Even Fundies can grow and change...

I've been surprised on many an occasion

a reply to: Akragon

Anyone is capable of change.

a reply to: pfishy

Once upon a time i believed that... but in the past few years i've learned some people don't have that capacity

Unfortunately it almost always involves religion

a reply to: Akragon

That certainly is one of the hardest sticking points people have.

I learned that people will jump to conclusions, put words in your mouth and judge you based on a few words or paragraphs.
A heated discussion and you are as said above "a douche bag"
So I have learned, judge thy self.

a reply to: pfishy

What has ATS taught me?

It has taught me that ATS is a lot life in general. It is easy to hate, it is easy to dismiss. It takes an effort to care to understand. It takes an active act of will to be humble and humane.

ATS has taught me that no one is perfect.

originally posted by: pfishy

One thing that ATS has taught you

That Nelson Mandela really didn't die in the 1980's.

I've learned that being a skeptic is a good thing, as long as a person doesn't hold on to their own judgements and not allow new information to be considered. Confirmation bias is baaad, m'kay.

originally posted by: argentus
Confirmation bias is baaad, m'kay.

Was that a sheeple joke?

a reply to: pfishy

I learned consequence .......

a reply to: pfishy

Group think is very real and that social engineering is often a corrupt avenue.

a reply to: tikbalang

I've never really taken the Internet too seriously, but I do have to admit that I have, on occasion, felt bad for upsetting people on ATS. Which is kind of hard for me to do because I am a borderline sociopath. Not saying it to sound sympathetic or bad or whatever. It's just a fact of my life.

How to be more discerning on posts and people.

Not to believe everything you hear.

a reply to: pfishy

Well, i dont take my self serious.. I provoke, curious, dig, rabbit hole.. I learned how evil people can be, when they are cornered..

a reply to: tikbalang

I make it a point to not make people feel cornered. Deny ignorance, yes. Deny ignorance at the point of insult and degradation, no. But that's just me. And people find a variety of things insulting. It's a matter of paying attention to the conversation on deeper levels than just the words. For me, at least. I don't choose to judge how anyone else interacts here. Just myself.