Hello from a decade+ lurker

Hello ATS,

I've been lurking here since 2010. Years ago, I believe in 2008, a roommate showed me ATS. It took me a couple of years to get into lurking but I started a couple of years later. I've commented a handful of times to some posts but never contributed much to the community. During the blackout I realized how much I liked this community and have decided to be a more involved member.

The content of ATS has changed drastically over the years, which, to be honest, has kept me from being a regular contributor. I'm not a far right person, rather I'm an independent who regularly consumes a broad variety of viewpoints. The viewpoints of some members is off-putting but I fully support free speech and welcome varying opinions. Even though ATS has its quirks, many members here question the narrative in ways that it should be. More so, ATS members provide sources not found on other social media sites.

The relationships between regulars is entertaining and often more interesting than the posts...especially the minimalist posts out there. I feel I know some of you because of my long time lurking, which selfishly is a little onesided...so here I am.

Some of the content creators I've most enjoyed over the years are no longer here, such as Astrocyte and ancientthunder. However, ATS still has some good posts coming in. I hope to contribute in a manner similar to the members I've respected over the years.

A little about me:

As mentioned, I hold an independent, middle of the road, political stance. I question the decisions of our leaders from a position of management and virtue.

I am in upper management of an emerging company. This position has taught me that people plan, scheme, and seek to optimize their gains in this world. This extends to our political leaders. From experience, I know a lot goes on behind the scenes, which is why I question the motives of our leaders.

The topics that interest me are varied yet thematic: philosophy, comparative religion, esotericism, value systems, economics, psychology, science, and living a good life.

I believe hard work, smart work, personal growth, and discipline truly free one from the chains of this world. I also believe that the opportunities for citizens around the world are being systematically destroyed for the personal gain of people who can gain from it. Once again, I've extrapolated these beliefs through smaller scale personal experience in the business world.

I don't believe in a lot of conspiracies, as they are presented. Some are out of this world or so far removed from logic that I just can't fall into it. There is often a grain of truth in most perspectives.

I dislike the use of absolutes in most instances and will call them out. Absolutes rarely accurately describe the world and very often undermine the argument being made. Expect this to be pointed out during my tenure here. It'll be pointed out to both call out the use and help members strengthen their own arguments.

Well ATS, I look forward to being a contributing member.

a reply to: InwardDiver

Well ID, I look forward to read your contributions...

a reply to: InwardDiver

An incredibly thoughtful first post.

If this is representative of your future posts we're fortunate to have you.

a reply to: InwardDiver

I don't believe in a lot of conspiracies, as they are presented. Some are out of this world or so far removed from logic that I just can't fall into it. There is often a grain of truth in most perspectives.

I dislike the use of absolutes in most instances and will call them out. Absolutes rarely accurately describe the world and very often undermine the argument being made. Expect this to be pointed out during my tenure here. It'll be pointed out to both call out the use and help members strengthen their own arguments.

This ^^^^^^^^^^^^
Absolute truths .
(Wait , was that an absolute ?)

Welcome and as stated if your intro is any indication you will fit in nicely around here.

Yes, a very reasonable perspective ID, and I'm looking forward to your posts.

a reply to: InwardDiver

Do you do this when challenged?



If so that's even cooler!

Welcome to the Jungle Baby....you're gonna DIIIIIIIEEEEEEeeeeeeeeeIIIIIIIIEEEEEE!!!!!

a reply to: Ksihkehe

Thank you. I do hope to create some meaningful content.

a reply to: Gothmog

Absolutes do rarely have a place in the world. This is one of them

originally posted by: MykeNukem
a reply to: InwardDiver

Do you do this when challenged?

If so that's even cooler!

Welcome to the Jungle Baby....you're gonna DIIIIIIIEEEEEEeeeeeeeeeIIIIIIIIEEEEEE!!!!!

Yes, but usually only when alone and posting on the internet.

a reply to: americanbuffalo1

Thanks. I'm glad to be here.

a reply to: Terpene

Thanks

a reply to: Salander

Thanks

a reply to: InwardDiver

Ok.
Same as me. Good enough.

Whether you've been lurking or not gor ten years.. you still need to go over the T&C's.. so let me do my Intro thingy...


Hi There " ]InwardDiver ", and welcome to the Introductions Forum, a place to say hello to the ATS community!

For now, you can reply to any thread in any of the forums of your choosing, as well as send & receive Private Messages (PM's) to Staff (only for now). Once you have achieved 5 posts, you will then be able to start your own threads and additionally send & receive messages to and from fellow ATS members.

Here's some handy links, important must read links (and more links).

Terms & Conditions Of Use (Please read, we take these very seriously and so should you!).

Start Here - ATS Freshmans Forum A cornocopia of almost every thing a new ATS Freshman would want under one roof.

Hey new members!! Come here if you need advice This section includes how to Contact Staff, make Alerts and help maintain the ATS Discussion Etiquette.

Starting a New Thread ?... Look Here First
Great information as we want your thread to get the visibility it deserves, so make sure you've got great content backed-up with links (so we can see it for ourselves), and then add your thoughts on the subject matter.

IMPORTANT: Using Content From Other Websites on ATS. Before you link a website in your post or thread, please read this.

How to upload an avatar/profile picture with instructions and so much more .

Uploading Pictures unto Post-2013 ATS, Serving up member's pictures and snapshots since the retooling of ATS back in 2013, and here's a little secret on your Picture uploads. Always make sure they 'end' with one of these three formats; jpg, gif, png... (a jpeg needs to be changed to .jpg to be accepted as only 3 letter formats are accepted).

Take your time and enjoy, ATS is a pretty large place

There's a lot of great spots to explore and share your comments in. Being this large it's safe to say that not everyone is going to agree with what you might say. And actually that's a good thing as this allows all voices, theories and ideas to come out for discussion.

But be aware that sometimes, people's conviction's can get the better of them and they might attack the person and not the subject being discussed. This is when the T&C's are your friend and on your side. Please notify us of 'their offense' immediately by using the complaint/alert feature. To report an offense, find the little "top-torso-person silhouette" to 'click-on' in their avatar/meme area, make sure the post that your wanting to alert us about is where you click 'that alert' from. These reports are reviewed by staff as we take all complaints and Alerts seriously.

Some areas will require a thicker-skin for discussion and debating and they can get rather heated (in certain arenas). Other areas require you having an open-mind and a need to consider thoughts and theories that don't fit the 'norm'. If you like to tip-toe in to darker areas, you'll find 'like-minded' and curious members that are also into UFO's, the Paranormal, Cryptids and Conspiracies.

There's also places to just chill and cool-down from all the craziness and frustrations of this wild world. Whether it's showing off your artwork in Member Art, or sharing a piece of music you like or created in the Music forum. Maybe you'd like to toss in your "2 Cents" in the General Chit Chat forum.

If you like to read (and compose) good stories, there's a few places for the "mighty fine creative minds" of ATS to hang out at.... including one my favorites the "Short Stories" forum.

And finally... remember these words as "you" are responsible for "your" posts, so please..... " Post unto others as you would have them post unto you!! "


Johnny Anonymous,
Staff-Moderator.

a reply to: JohnnyAnonymous

Will do. I've haven't paid attention to the details, so these links will come in handy.

Hi InwardDiver!

Welcome to ATS and I hope you will enjoy it.
There's plenty of subjects for all, to read and to post.