The ATS Issues Thread

reply to post by Jadette

If you read the post carefully you'll notice the key words, "you think are too out there", etc...

Just because someone thinks or believes what someone else posts is false doesn't give them the right to scoff or ridicule. That's what that post is about.

I assure you if solid evidence proving the material is false arises the post will be either trashed or tagged with the dreaded ATS [HOAX] tag and the member banned.

Its a fine line we attempt to keep around here, the free exchange of information sans the ridicule. We don't get it perfect but we sure try hard.

Hope that clears it up for you.

Not to mention there's a very big difference between:

1) I see some blurring around the edges of the anomaly and I think it possiby has been photoshopped. Just my opinion as I'm not a photo analysis expert.

2) OMG FAKE you stupid moron get a life you ignorant little snot don't you have anything better to do than paste lame obvious hoax photos on ATS? I guess you think we're as stupid as you are.

Thank you for the prompt reply.

I guess what I'm concerned with is this: a point is made in the post about how:

Ufology and paranormal studies have suffered for decades because anything in that area is constantly ridiculed and made fun of by the media and by the average joe, because of it conflicting with their beliefs of what reality is...

and I'd actually argue that Ufology and Paranormal studies have suffered because of a lack of critical review, where legimate incident, fact and debate is drowned in a sea of nonsense, lies and kookyness. And that THAT is why the community as an entirety is constantly ridiculed and made fun of.

If we allow ATS to simply be the place where anything goes, without any sense of consequence or criticism or review, we lose all crediblity.

Sure. We don't want to inhibit ideas or information from coming forward. True, there is a difference in mocking someone, or otherwise being rude and breaking the TOS versus polite, analytical debate.

We have a couple of forums where 'anything goes'. I thought that this was to give venue to more 'fringe' conversations, and leave an environment where some things that might not stand up to a critical eye might see light.

Is this still true? Or do the terms of the link I linked stand for all forums?

Originally posted by Jadette
If we allow ATS to simply be the place where anything goes, without any sense of consequence or criticism or review, we lose all crediblity.

Sure. We don't want to inhibit ideas or information from coming forward. True, there is a difference in mocking someone, or otherwise being rude and breaking the TOS versus polite, analytical debate.

We have a couple of forums where 'anything goes'. I thought that this was to give venue to more 'fringe' conversations, and leave an environment where some things that might not stand up to a critical eye might see light.

Is this still true? Or do the terms of the link I linked stand for all forums?

I don't quite understand what's bothering you about the post you linked. It seems to just be about ridiculing or making fun of people who post things that you think are too far out there.

I don't see any problem according to that post with reasonable critiques of the content, though the best thing to do with really poor content is usually to let it slip down off the page rather than keep bumping it up to refute it. But that post doesn't say anything that's not already demanded by the terms and conditions.

Originally posted by Crakeur
reply to post by special

 

chrisonabike's post was mildly on topic. the responses to him were even less on topic.

One moment please.... Chrisonabike's post was MILDY on topic??? The responses to him even less... Okay, I understand, that you don't want to have "fanposts" here, that's obvisiosly the reason why I got my posts here simply deleted. Okay, I don't mind that.

But - this is a thread about ISSUES, isn't it?? And Chrisonabike would'nt write this in here, if it woudn't be a real problem for him, that he feels not so welcome here. Why don't you accept that and take him more serious??
Not because he is famous. He is a member here like anybody else. But he's a member with a problem that he posted here. For what else than is this thread?

reply to post by chrisonabike


Hi there chris.

I`m a member who doesent do alot of posting, but alot of reading in here. (Have been lurking around here a couple of years) And I`m pretty tired of reading all the rude and negative posts that show up in almost every thread.

I think the people who do this are generally negative towards most things, they probably got som issues to work out. Please ignore them. You are as welcome here as anyone else. And I think the majority of members feel the same way.

I know that if I hade the money, I would absolutely do some investigation my self. Maybe the negative folks are just jealous ore something.

So.. What I basicly wanted to say to you is keep your head up. And know that theres a lot of people that think its great that you became a member.

Looking forward to reading more from you!

Pease!

Sorry about my bad spelling, I`m Norwegian..

[edit on 26-9-2008 by Anom3]

Originally posted by Kimba
One moment please.... Chrisonabike's post was MILDY on topic???

Chrisonabike wasn't expressing an issue he had with ATS, he was clarifying his relationship here and his reason for being here (my apologies if I'm wrong here). There were several posts prior to his that painted a picture regarding ATS and chrisonabike. He wanted to explain it, in his words, so that the folks crying foul could see that the accusations were unfounded and untrue.

Thus, when he posted, he was explaining something rather than posting an actual issue with ATS, ergo, somewhat off topic.

Originally posted by Kimba
Why don't you accept that and take him more serious??
Not because he is famous. He is a member here like anybody else. But he's a member with a problem that he posted here. For what else than is this thread?

Allow me then to state here, for the record, that I am truly sorry for not taking Chrisonabike seriously. Hopefully, Chrisonabike will see that I am sincere and accept my most humble apology.

(chrisonabike, if you are upset with me, you know how to get in touch with me. do so and chew me out and I promise to not be upset when you use that colorfull language).

Kimba, I take every member here seriously. Even the ones that are here for the sole purpose of disruption (we do have them). Each member is an integral part of this community, whether they're here to add to the community or to create their own little version of chaos. I live in this community so I have to take them all seriously.

reply to post by Crakeur


Thanks for your explanation, how you see Chrisonabike's post!

I know witch picture several posts before painted regarding ATS and him. And he did explain his aims here before, but it seems to be still a problem for him to be misunderstood by any people here. And that's why I think, THIS IS a problem with ATS for him. And he wanted to talk about it - that's the way I see his post. And the answers on his post get deleted here - not only my posts. That made me a little angry, sorry. Even when you see me now that I'm here for the sole purpose of disruption - that was not my intention, sorry! For me it looked like Chrisonabike was misunderstood again...

So, we just have different points of view...

Anyway - this is a great site with fascinating themes! Even when Chrisonabike brought me here

My issue...the unbelievable amount of repeat threads in differnet subtopic forums.
I have been guilty of this once or twice in the past but they were days or even weeks apart. My problem is repeat threads happening minutes or hours apart, like pulling up recent posts and having 3or 4 of the same threads being repeated over and over.
And the definition of "Breaking Alternative News" once again needs to be defined.
Many follow the rules only to have their earlier threads trumped because the later thread ends up in Alternative Breaking News.
There are way too many subtopics with loosely defined topic material so we are seeing the same threads pop up everywhere.
Either members are trying to follow T&C, or they are confused or they just don't care, I don't know but its getting out of control.

Thank you for letting me rant just a little now I will step down off my soap box

Oops got a jump back up on the soap box for a sec...
The other problem with so many threads on the exact same subject is
A. Members do not know which thread to post in so they post in the one that most matches their views and open minds become closed.
B. Members who post in threads that get trumped are having to cut and paste their words or go unheard
C. Information Overload

Okay back off

Sry Mods off topic pls accept this this once as just to say:
I have started a new thread:
www.belowtopsecret.com...
for those who wish to respond to the thread that Chrisonabike posted on here,so it doesn't go off topic
Sorry Mods,just thought this maybe a solution....

reply to post by SEEWHATUDO


i don.t have that problem with to many threads, most times i am confused where to open a thread - i mean: to choose the forum where my topic might belong to.
i really feel abit lost about that

thanks seewhatudo to mention it. i really didn.t know how to deal with it!

The ATS Issues Thread..

My issue is how the whole thead became after the post of chrisonabike. No offence to chrisonabike as I find his reaction on how he experienced this forum more then sincere as in his point of view it's obviously an ATS issue..

What I really like though is the discussion thats now going on on 'what is off topic and what is not'..

After several (light) complaints from me here and there to people with more or less influence on this website, I finally find an 'open' discussion on what is personally my MAIN ATS ISSUE:

WHERE IS THE FREEDOM OF MIND AND SPEACH AND WHY AND WHOM BECAUSE OF MODERATOR 'RIGHTS' CAN DECIDE WHAT IS OFF TOPIC WITHIN CERTAIN TOPICS AND WHAT IS NOT..

Some say now this 'serious' issue thread became a soap opera, within someways I agree.

However, I find that some (yes just some!) moderators are 'miss using' their moderator power on deleting off topic thread because of a lack of knowledge or feeling for the discussions going on.

I find it very very ignorant how the 'regime' that ATS uses to handle 'off topic' posts. Ignorant, which is a shame for the slogan:

Deny Ignorance..

Inbetween the soap opera how am I supposed to read the 'real issues' people experience, like me now about the 'regime' for off topic posts..?

And then, chrisonabike like many others might have said before me: get well soon, earinfection is something terrible!

reply to post by Storm_Indigochild


i second this, mods remove certain posts, but in the same thread will leave others that are worse than the ones removed, then in another thread the mods themselves post completely off-topic.

just some moderators., i know some names too, but i wont mention them here. the proof is on the board.

the mods here are alot more helpful and respectful than mods on other forums, and i know they have a tough task because the boards are very active. but the overall abuse of moderatorship has increased significantly since i have registered. not all but some.

Originally posted by pureevil81
reply to post by Storm_Indigochild

 

i second this, mods remove certain posts, but in the same thread will leave others that are worse than the ones removed, then in another thread the mods themselves post completely off-topic.

I totally agree on that..! However naming names to me is not important, the way some forums are moderated is just far from consequent!

Originally posted by Storm_Indigochild
I totally agree on that..! However naming names to me is not important, the way some forums are moderated is just far from consequent!

Well I believe the site admins have stated that if a thread is shut down and the action seems unfair it can be escalated and reviewed.

Yes, I have experienced that and it was honestly quite upsetting; a thread that went on for many pages, and contained many insults that appeared to violate the t&c's (and were completely ignored because they apparently took the pc side of the debate) was allowed to continue on until things calmed down and got factual. The Mod in this situation stated that "Egyptian and Indian history is now offtopic and all posts relating to it will be deleted" and then the posters participating abided by those rules (and apparently did not have the sense to question why? a mistake I will not make again).

However despite the fact those rules were followed, and even though the posters participating were following ATS t&c's and citing (as well as posting links to) government statistics the thread was shut down because the MOD did not appear to like the overall feel and opinions being expressed (I am guessing at the Mods motives, if there were other motives I would appreciate being enlightened).

It made me angry and I still remember that incident.

The actual quote when the Mod shut down an active thread that was abiding by the Mods stated rules and was NOT violating the t&c's and was still very active was this: "As this thread is hopelessly off-topic, it appears there is nothing left to discuss that pertains to the topic. Thread closed."

The thread was STILL ontopic, does ATS have a policy of closing threads that individual Mods feel may have "strayed offtopic" by some unknown standard?

Original thread is here:
www.abovetopsecret.com...


[edit on 26-9-2008 by Sonya610]

Im so felicititous this balderdash of the non compos mentis is apportioned to this Forum only.

[edit on 26-9-2008 by lucid eyes]

Well....

Thank you for apologizing publicly...

Now to devote itself(himself,herself) to order VIDEOES (not musical)...

Major you of age ... now TO ACCEPT CRITIQUES... NOT TO FEEL FOR COMMENTARIES that alone are COMMENTARIES...



CHRISONABIKE... NOT TO FEEL BADLY... TO ACCEPT COMMENTARIES... NOT TO FEEL YOUR OFFENDED ONE...





Forgive my English evil ... good-bye X-P