ATS Changing?

Originally posted by Sniffer
These "Some Dudes" come along and invest a large amount of money so ATS can have "better servers" so they can advertise Their Chosen products. can you explain this further?

This explains it: www.abovetopsecret.com...

That's what you and the world governments say

Simon and Skeptic already addressed it, but just to clarify what I meant in my previous post:

Originally posted by Sniffer
These "Some Dudes" come along and invest a large amount of money so ATS can have "better servers" so they can advertise Their Chosen products. can you explain this further?

No, I meant so that ATS can advertise ITSELF to get new membership. As in, buy radio advert time to attract new membership, etc.

Originally posted by Sniffer
i know i havent had had alot of post to my name, but im a lurker, and have been for years, its just that im noticing small changes here and there.

Two more points of contention:

1.) You expect us to take you at your word, when you come in here and insult ours?

No. For all I know, you've been here no longer than your registration date. Trust is a 2-way street, hombre. And if you're going to make unfounded accusations that attack our moral or ethical character, it shows just how very little you know about this site at all.

2.) Of COURSE there have been changes. This is a living forum that must continually adapt to the demands of an ever-increasing membership and server-load. Anyone who has ever tried to run a web page that gets several million hits per month is aware of this, and those who haven't, should at least be capable of recognizing that.

The transition of ATS to "Dark Matter" format was one such change. The institution of limited post character counts, the restriction of images to links unless they were from news or partner servers is another such change. The instatement of flags, stars, the way news is formatted... None of these things "always existed" nor were they popped in overnight. They were a series of gradual changes that were tweaked over time until the Amigos, staff, and membership were cool with it.

There will continue to be changes made to ATS from here until the day it no longer exists. These changes do not, however, include letting The Man dictate what content will and will not be displayed on the site. As long as it's not in violation of the law or the TAC, it's fair game.

In short, if you don't like the content, then post something worth reading, don't try and act like it's some sort of conspiracy, and don't insult our ethics with thinly veiled and unsupported insinuations.

Voxel, You are correct about the bias of these films. They are what they are.

However, these are no different than every thread here and elsewhere. We all have out bias, our agenda. We all express those things that we find to be hidden truths, hoping that our view will be reinforced by others.

And you are doing the exact same thing Voxel. You want people to see you as uncovering a plot here, but there is no plot except the one that denies you the final say on which videos make it, and which don't.

If you find a thread or a video that is not to your taste, leave it and go on to one that is. Everything that does not suit Voxel is not a plot.

As some one who has been a member since June 2003 I can say that six months from now an observation that the board has changed will be as valid as it was 6 months ago. This board goes through cycles. Some are not repeatable as in step-wise changes which usually center around new functionality or lay-out (or infusion of cash that allows major equipment upgrades) and others repeat almost with scary predictability. Those repeatable cycles are: activity in a specific genre of topics reflect movies/news (so if the Mothman prophecies just hit the screen it by majority goes toward UFOs and if the Da Vinci Code just hit the screen it by majority goes toward secret societies and Illuminati type discussions, etc.); "quality of posts" - which you have to admit is an extremely subjective statement so what is junk to you apparently isn't to a larger number of members. And then the last highly repeatable cycle is the "accusatory/insinuating post against ATS" (your thread falls into this category)...those have the highest frequency and are the more tiresome to some.

I assumed what showed up on the front page was automated probably by number of views, flags or replies - or maybe by the most recent activity. I have never assumed some one was sitting 24 hours a day hand-picking what would show up on the front page...but who knows, maybe you're right, maybe they have a dedicated "let's direct the traffic to this thread" person.

I completely disagree with the op.

The vast majority of posts are members not the 3 amigos.

What is a "valid” conspiracy and a BS post can often be much more a point of view than attempt to change ATS.

It was my opinion that one of ATS's purposes was to allow people to voice their theories and have other's voice their opinions as well as any reverent facts/links.

Even when posts are proven wrong, so long as it was an honest question or feeling by the op, I think it has every right to be posted here.

I distinctly remember my first post here, it was ufo related.
It was proven to be a fake very fast. I was embarrassed, but it was an honest post with what I thought was good evidence in pictures.

Isn't that what we are all about, investigating the questions/thoughts/conspiracies we have and proving or disproving them with facts???

Originally posted by SkepticOverlord

Buyout?

I, too, was wondering if I could have missed something as big as that.

Wait till school starts.

You can even tell when mid-term tests and finals come, it gets so quiet.

Originally posted by NGC2736
Voxel, You are correct about the bias of these films.

Ah good! So we have that common understanding to work from.

Originally posted by NGC2736
And you are doing the exact same thing Voxel. You want people to see you as uncovering a plot here, but there is no plot except the one that denies you the final say on which videos make it, and which don't.

I don't think I said that I ever wanted final say on what does or doesn't make it. I am simply pointing out something I haven't seen anyone mention before on this site - that the videos are clearly biased and come from the exact same group of people.

In fact, I am arguing on the side of diversity - maybe you didn't notice that. I wouldn't mind one bit if those videos were on ATS.video among others. Instead, we have three of three videos with the exact same theme - that the biblical end of the world is soon.

To add further insult, they are presented as:

Originally posted by AboveTopSecret.com
This test will gauge the response of our members and visitors to professional-level video content presented for free viewing and discussion.
...
This video service will be offered to professional and semi-professional videographers.

Which all makes the videos sound more legitimate and scholarly than the amateur videos we all know and love on Youtube. If you doubt me, check out the responses to the video itself.
"Amazing."
"Very good video."

It is like no one ever considered that the facts presented could be complete fabrications. Since it was posted by an (anonymous) ATS staff member it must be true.

All this wouldn't bother me one bit (since it is still just a beta test) except for this one little thing:

Originally posted by AboveTopSecret.com
AboveTopSecret.com in partnership with a potential partner with hundreds of video titles.

What this tells me is that the partner will be the major, if not the only, source of videos. From a library of hundreds of videos, the three we are offered as a demo are all of questionable validity and are of the same basic topic (armageddon) just from different angles.

Originally posted by NGC2736
If you find a thread or a video that is not to your taste, leave it and go on to one that is. Everything that does not suit Voxel is not a plot.

This is the kind of straw-man argument I would expect from someone trying to purposely deflect any real discussion or criticism away from the videos or the site. Hows that for seeing a plot?

Jon

Originally posted by Voxel

Originally posted by AboveTopSecret.com
AboveTopSecret.com in partnership with a potential partner with hundreds of video titles.

What this tells me is that the partner will be the major, if not the only, source of videos. From a library of hundreds of videos, the three we are offered as a demo are all of questionable validity and are of the same basic topic (armageddon) just from different angles.
Jon

That's incorrect. The "partner" simply allows us to kick off a new feature with loads of high production value content from the start.

Our hope is that our Membership produces/suggests the vast majority of the content that gets played in our video section.

This is a beta test, we didn't spend time researching the background of the videos, they were within the TAC, they looked great and they all have a conspiratorial slant to them.

In any case, as mentioned, we hope our Membership will drive the content of the videos just like they do the rest of the content on ATS.

Why don't you suggest some good titles that are available? If they are high quality, the producer/owner is willing to share revenues and license us to display them and they meet the TAC requirements I guarantee you they will get presented.

Fair enough?

Springer...

[edit on 8-5-2007 by Springer]

Thats good to hear Springer! I tend to stay quiet about Board Topics because I trust the 3's judgments but this time I really felt something was potentially wrong in Denmark and no one was even mentioning it.

I like the idea of user generated documentaries because making one has been on my mind a great deal. It seems to me that far too much conspiracy stuff gets made about pointless topics (like the end of the world - hah!) instead of the real immediate topics of concern.

Who wants to help me make my documentary about the history of the state since ancient times up till today? I want to call it Revolutions: A History of Failure.

Thanks for taking the time to set me straight.

Jon

Ok, you say that the topics that are coverd on the front page are from users "flagging them" but then why are their topics like this

"I have a question for you christians: (Flags 0)

"A few questions I have(towards Atheists) " (flags 0)

"Prayer, and the Divine plan Logic vs Religion " (Flags 0)

I think alot more Attention should be put on who these Partners are, Advertising can be a root of evil too

There is allready specualtion about the videos being religion in nature, does this mean ats is going to sway where the money falls?

[edit on 8-8-2007 by Sniffer]

The Standards Are Dropping, True. But Atleast There Are Still Many Dedicate Reasearchers/People Who Know What They Are On About. Do You Think Some Stuff From BTS Could have Slipped On The Homepage?

Voxel, I'm glad you feel better, now that you've stirred up the dust on this. In the process you made the world aware that you are a budding filmmaker, and could do a better job than what has so far come out here.

Was getting attention drawn to your own future projects the real point here?

And judging the entire future of ATS films by three that were used for testing purposes, is like me deciding that you have a mighty big chip on your shoulder towards Christians. While both statements are true, who cares?

I am not a Christian, so I can take it or leave it when it comes to their propaganda films. You, on the other hand are like the government itself, and seem to want to protect us from being brainwashed by these evil and insidious Christians. First, my brain is strong enough to withstand the onslaught of the Christian tide, and their conversion techniques. And second, I have little faith that whatever you chose to replace these films with would be any less biased.

Out of the frying pan, and into the fire.

Originally posted by Sniffer
"I have a question for you christians: (Flags 0)
"A few questions I have(towards Atheists) " (flags 0)
"Prayer, and the Divine plan Logic vs Religion " (Flags 0)

If you take a closer look, you'll see that those threads are highlighted in a section that shows the most recently started threads with the most replies...

I think alot more Attention should be put on who these Partners are, Advertising can be a root of evil too

We've said before... and before... and before... and apparently we'll continue to need to say it: No advertiser will ever influence the content of ATS (except in special cases, like with the sponsored Atlantis forum, where content is provided, not influenced).

There is allready specualtion about the videos being religion in nature

Judging by the overall response, views, and discussion of the videos, many of our members found the subject matter interesting. These just happened to be the first titles available to us for a test, we're not yet "live" with a video service. (And would it surprise you that an atheist was involved in approving those?)

Originally posted by HemlockAgain
The Standards Are Dropping, True. But Atleast There Are Still Many Dedicate Reasearchers/People Who Know What They Are On About. Do You Think Some Stuff From BTS Could have Slipped On The Homepage?

I'm not sure where you're getting the idea that "standards are dropping." In all regards, the feedback we're getting from experienced "alternative" publishers, "alternative" media, film producers, TV producers, and even mainstream journalists is that the quality of member posts on ATS are far and away superior to anything similar they've seen. In fact, a NY Times best-selling conspiracy author is beginning a book based on what our members are posting.

Originally posted by Sniffer
Ok, you say that the topics that are coverd on the front page are from users "flagging them" but then why are their topics like this

"I have a question for you christians: (Flags 0)
.....

number of replies. if you read the header over that section it says "Current Topics with Most Replies"

the flagged threades make the top of the forum pages under most flagged. members flag a thread that they feel is important and should be read.
the current topics with most replies threads can have no flags and thousands of replies, thus making them popular.

bit of a difference

Originally posted by Sniffer
There is allready specualtion about the videos being religion in nature, does this mean ats is going to sway where the money falls?

Rather than go by speculation, watch the videos yourself to determine if they are based on religion. Then come back here and say "these religion based videos..." Don't go by the speculation on this site. If you did that you'd be hiding from the prophecies and fantasies of the members and you'd be awaiting the Slayer/Jesus concert while fearing the reptilian advances that surely will come while the US gov't initiates a false flag alien invasion to ensure that the soul catcher on the moon is protected when we finally really put a man on the moon and stop claiming that we did in 69.


ATS doesn't sway where the money falls. ATS sways by the postings of our members.

What is the partners name?

Originally posted by HemlockAgain
The Standards Are Dropping, True. But Atleast There Are Still Many Dedicate Reasearchers/People Who Know What They Are On About. Do You Think Some Stuff From BTS Could have Slipped On The Homepage?

I'm not sure where you're getting the idea that "standards are dropping." In all regards, the feedback we're getting from experienced "alternative" publishers, "alternative" media, film producers, TV producers, and even mainstream journalists is that the quality of member posts on ATS are far and away superior to anything similar they've seen. In fact, a NY Times best-selling conspiracy author is beginning a book based on what our members are posting.

I Get The Idea That Standards Are Slipping By The Stories Such As "My Dog Took Viagra" And "How To Customise PSP's" (Written By Me) That May Be Some One Off Dodgy Posts But The Standards Are Reagulary Decreasing With Each Bizarre Story That Comes Along.

I Am Sorry I Have Offended Anyone By Posting This but These Are My Views. Appologies.

Originally posted by HemlockAgain
I Get The Idea That Standards Are Slipping By The Stories Such As "My Dog Took Viagra" And "How To Customise PSP's" (Written By Me) That May Be Some One Off Dodgy Posts But The Standards Are Reagulary Decreasing With Each Bizarre Story That Comes Along.

So you're here for 2 months, make a thread that you think contributes to the perceived "slippage", then complain about the quality.

Simple answer - ramp up your contributions or... (I'll let you finish that one).

So you're here for 2 months, make a thread that you think contributes to the perceived "slippage", then complain about the quality.

Simple answer - ramp up your contributions or... (I'll let you finish that one).



Or.... YeahRight Can Get Stuffed And Stop Sucking Up To the Addministrators And Owners Of ATS. Over And Out. Hemlock.

Originally posted by HemlockAgain
Or.... YeahRight Can Get Stuffed And Stop Sucking Up To the Addministrators And Owners Of ATS. Over And Out. Hemlock.

Well, yes that certainly is an option. One guy's "sucking up" is another's taking a stand which they believe about a subject in which they care. So opinions vary, and you're entitled to yours.

Thanks.