The "ATS Effect"? (Does it have you?)

My experience started with the Media and actually listening to what they were saying. Pretty soon, I found myself yelling at the TV just wishing they would shut up. (wow, crazy !!!)

The next place I started watching was at my local mall. My wife and I would sit and watch people. My god, what an eye opener. People can't thing past their next purchase, there new shoes....purse.....etc.

After that, I started watching people who drive and what they drive. I think you can pick out a single minded, one track though process person by watching them drive. Watch as they line up at the stop light. Watch as they sit in endless traffic jams with no thought going to an alternate path. Its just interesting.

This sight is interesting and although some posts are a rehash of a rehash or I don't agree with, I still find several topics very interesting.

People I know don't discuss these topics. They are too worried about their individual lives to even give most of these topics a single thought.

I am apathetic to most people (friends/family excluded). I am not a run for the hills, buy all the rice and canned goods I can, buy 17 guns, learn to live on pine needles, build a fire from nothing survivalist.

We will just have to see where this world is going. I think we are currently on the down side of the roller coaster but there is another hill coming.

Personally I've always been a few tacos short of a combination plate. Left handed, severe head injury at a young age, very creative, Christian, was an altar boy. Pray/meditate every day. I like the site and I also hang around infowars.com and post there frequently.
I listen to C2C almost every day and am a fan of Alex Jones' work.

reply to post by Lookingup


Well some how i have to agree. Although i just became a member today i have spent a lot of time on this site looking through the threads and posts. I don't know why but as i was reading a post today i just decided to become a member.

I think I have always been border-line paranoid about something. Being Russian by birth and having grown up in the US, and now living in the UK has always pinned something on me. My family has been investigated for possible participation in the Russian Mafia twice ( these are just the ones i know of) and I'm always used to watching my back.

When i talk to people about things that I might have read on here, or just things i find else where about conspiracies or aliens or anything else "out of the ordinary" people give me blank looks.

I guess my point is, aren't we better off then those people who choose to sit there and allow government and organizations to take advantage of them, or sit by and allow corruption to take over even though they have the power to do something about it. 90% of the people we talk to about things we "ATSers" talk about might give us blank looks, but if and when things start to happen won't we be the more prepared and ready for them?

Maybe I'm just talking a whole load of crap, i don't know. I just want to hear what you guys have to say about this.

- Nick

reply to post by jasonjnelson


I got through the fist page or two and decided to go ahead and post my opinion on the "ATS Effect".

for what its worth, I would say yea, this place changes you. the more you learn the more learn you need to learn more. its hard to take a stand on any issue. things are not ever as they seem. and just because a few select people see it different, and have what they consider facts, does not make it real or true. and so, while I find being a member of this site has opened my eyes to a lot of subjects, I cant say I have learned the "truth" about anything. and those who say they know the truth about anything, are merely humoring themselves. reality is strange like that.

so, don't isolate yourself from the world outside of the "echo chamber". it gets too lonely. laugh and love often. judge not, lest you be judged. treat others as you would want to be treated. and all of that other psycho anyalicitcal hoopla. because sometimes even it is right.

people is people.

while some people are made to move the world, most are not. and most, are like you and me. I find that I am lucky to have been born in a country that allows me to not pay attention to politics if I choose not to. I understand that some people in some countries don't have this luxury. and they fight everyday just for the opportunity to wake the next day and do it again. (some African countries come to mind) but don't be a pawn in a game you don't understand. do you know more of the "big picture" than your friends and family? maybe. does it matter? not really.

so let people believe what they want to believe. and stop calling them things like "sheeple". if need be, interject your opinion. but don't think you can move the world with it. unless.....your one of those people who were born to move the world. then none of the above would apply. and of course, you wouldn't be on their site reading this either.

my two cents. in general.

good thread topic.

A lot of the things that you all have said are so true. When I'm sitting at my girlfriend's house and her mom is watching that TV show on E! (I think its called Access Hollywood) I sit there in disbelief. I cannot believe that she actually gives two sh!ts about what they're talking about. On that show they act like these hollywood stars are 'gods' but they still do average things. Also- in my girlfriend's People magazine that she subscribes to has stuff in it that will have a picture on it of, say, Lindsay Lohan looking in her purse and it'll say "Stars look through their purses too!" As if people thought they willed their cell phone out of their purse into their hand. However, lucky for me, my girlfriend knows I go on this site and she is becoming more and more accepting of the things on it. My dad actually realizes what is going on also, although he isn't on this site.

Knowledge is power. It differentiates the sheeps and the leader. It is our knowledge that empowers us.

I cant really discuss things on ATS with people. I have given up. I am still treated as a babbling teenager when I mention HA ARP and other conspiracies.

I am disappointed that people refuse to look behind the veil and it is unlikely that I get a life partner who can relate to me.

I only console myself by telling myself that I am not a sheep and that when the right time comes for me to act, I will be ever ready!

Hi everybody, I´ve read this discussions a bit, and I must say some weight feel of my mind.

I´m from Sweden, living in a small isolated town with around 30.000 people which are basiclly the only ones I see.

And the "Pingu" people (relating to penquins ability to follow the mass regardless of whats right or wrong) is very common here. I have 2 friends whos similar to me and you. And we´re considerd the strange ones and people are avoiding us and we spend time alone.

I just couldnt be more happy than read about people like me.
Sometimes It feels so typical, everything is so thought out and I get the big pictures (well, mostly) and sometimes it feels like im insane and should be dragged to a shrink.

Reading this, somewhat confirmed what i´ve belived for a long time.
There are people who actually cares about the RIGHT things in life and universe, and I´m not alone, and the "truth is out there".


//Heykman

I will keep my eye on this topic for sure.

IMHO - which is not always so humble, I think you have touched upon one of the truly important aspects of ATS.

I may have an advantage of years and milage on a lot of ATS'ers but I have noticed much of the same curiosity and questioning of the norm that comes through in the postings even when I soundly disagree with the premise.

For each of us individually, true independent thought begins when you tell Mrs. Grundy to take a hike and catch Father Vanaducci with the nuns.

Then you do pay attention to that little man behind the curtain and lose your fear and servitude to great and powerful OZ.

Maturation is a process just like entrophy. It is not age dependent or directional.

And we each have from now until we fall over and begin the next phase.

For me, ATS was an avenue for finally realizing that I WAS a part of the species and not so much of a pink monkey in a sea of browns.

I am truly grateful for this and that ATS is now opened to the masses and not reserved for those of us with military clearances and bent for poking the status quo with a stick.

I feel bad for you guys, BUT I HAVE A GREAT SOLUTION FOR YOU ALL!

Tired of feeling 'alone' on these things? You can stop this week.

Almost every single city and town has some sort of "ANTI-WAR" group or organization or a similar "working for change" network where you will find people exactly like yourself and happy to meet you.

Those people, who are against war (for example) and are actively doing something about it, meet regularly to discuss upcoming demonstrations and the like and post dates and locations of these meetings all over the net or the town, inviting you to show up and meet them.

And before you say..

"Yeah but I don't want to get involved in that sort of thing."

..the thing is, you don't HAVE to 'get involved' in much at all.

Just attend one meeting, and during the open round table introductions you say..

"Well, I'm John Smith and a friend of mine suggested I come here because I'm just tired of being the only person I know who feels things are not right these days, and I wanted to JUST SEE how THIS sort of thing works, and meet some of you who are actively working for change and perhaps maybe, either get involved down the line or at least attend future lectures and presentations if I find I enjoy this."

During the meeting they'll have an adjenda and all the little groups that have representatives there at that ONE antiwar meeting (enviromental types, political group types, new agers - all sorts) will hand you TONS of FREE print newspapers you didn't know existed one at a time, pamplets for all sorts of stuff you can get involved in! Every group gets to bring up their 'issue' or event one at a time, and depending on how the group is organized, there might be an over all goal that needs to be addressed. You can JUST sit and LISTEN.. its okay. Everyone was new once.

Immediately you'll find out that you have at the very least 100 people who think and feel like you do right away. Just by going to one meeting and barely being involved. You'll meet people who think JFK was killed by aliens, and people who don't know what HAARP is. Everyone in between too. LISTEN.. don't speak too much, you don't have to talk, let them talk. Get a feel for the group.

Exchange emails. Go out for coffee after the meeting. Make new friends.

Also its not a bad way to meet a partener who doesn't watch realty TV all day either! The antiwar movement has a great dating scene and thats just a bonus if you really find a place for yourself in there. An Enviromental group, a politcal party, antiwar / propeace and antiproverty whatever, just start somewhere and they all network, so you'll find a place for yourself.

AND THERE IS ONE OTHER THING you should know; often the 'group' itself is just a 'front' or 'excuse' for this very purpose. Many people who are members of the group are not hardcore demonstration organizers (most are not) many are just very cool people who care enough to seek out other people who want to see a postive and real change in the way our world works.

So, don't think you're going to end up drinking kool-aid or something... its not like that, really.. you'll be surprised at how 'cool' it actually is.

You have nothing to lose, and many new and cool friends to make, and SO MUCH to learn.. far more than you can on these boards, believe me. And you'll feel better too. You'll just feel better because you'll find out you are SO NOT ALONE and MANY PEOPLE ARE AWAKE.. and they meet regularly to talk about the ONE THING they all have in common.. the fact that they are NOT SLEEPING (in fact they'll probably disagree on everything else.. but at least they'll have an opinion and be aware).

Get to it.. you are NOT alone, "The Matrix" just has you thinking that.

See? You already now know that you are not as aware as you thought you were.

Get it?

Best time to get involved is this time of year too! Concider this your invite to not be alone anymore, Neo.

i have to agree that the ATS effect does come into play with a lot of people; my change in way of perception and thinking came long before i ever started lurking in the shadows here.

the alienation we all feel at some point when we realise that the majority of our circle do not see the forest for the trees can lead to withdrawing from family or friends because they simply don't get it, and most often refuse to consider that there might be a different side to the coin.

the forums here do give us the opportunity to discuss and exchange out of the box thinking,which in turn does lead to more original thoughts and stimulatiing of the mind; but mr or ms average is too enrapt by the television and programming pushed on them since pre-k to actually wonder if there is anything else to wonder at or ponder upon, and god forbid the thouhgt that the media or PTB would ever sell them a bill of goods...

OP, good thread; there are many of us in the same place at this time, and finding like-minded souls we can have open and candid conversations with can be an adventure in itself; as you and many posters here, i am seeking that which comes next, waiting for the next piece to be revealed, digging for more grains of truth in a beach full of BS.

i will not ramble, but feel free to u2u; we haven't seen the light at the end of the tunnel yet.......

seeker

reply to post by jasonjnelson


I think I get what your saying, it seems like centuries in the past the most popular and respected people where scholars and mathematicians and astronomers, but in current times, at least in america, the most popular people are some of the incredibly stupid and mindless people, but people like (I'm for mccain but still not an asshole) obama are depicted in the New Yorker as a Muslim terrorist with his wife? I do not give a damn about christie brinkleys divorce, nor angelina jolies twin babies, but of all the things the news has to say is mainly on them, then a quick 10 second segment on a advancement in technology to fight cancer, but then back to angelinas babies

Once again, I find myself behind in responding.

Just wanted to clear up one point.

I am not an elitist. (not that you called me one)

I do not think that I am special for being "awake".

I do not hate the Sheeple.

I loathe and detest the system that allowed this to happen, and maybe it is a much deeper issue, or not at all.

Either way, I am awake, and looking around for other raised heads. (you know, like when you napped in Kindergarten?)

reply to post by the seeker_713g


Huh, You ARE located in the same place as me. Weird.

But I agree. We are all looking for our "like-mates", those who think like we do, as we feel so different.

reply to post by jasonjnelson


I assume you were talking to me. if not I apologize.

however, you say you are not an elitist? why then do you differentiate yourself from the "sheeple", or those who, as you would put it, are not "awake"?

does not this very act of classification separate you from those who you have classed as not "awake"?

would you say you were better, worse, or no different than those people?

im not trying to pick a fight. just trying to prove a point in general.

reply to post by JSR


I would say that I am no better. Although I am no longer stressed by the trappings of the "normal" world, I have just as much stress dealing with the things I have noticed since I have been "awakened".

I am not trying to minimize the lifestyles or choices of the "sheeple".
In fact, I am merely pointing out that I find it hard to interact as normally with others since my priorities shifted.

And no fight picked here, I merely wanted to correct your assumptions about my opinions of others...

reply to post by jasonjnelson


than if you find yourself no better, why label "them" as "asleep", and you as "awake"?

why would "they" be "sheeple" and you not? if your no better that is. would you be immune to manipulation?

its the whole mentality of being different that I have issue with. "us and them, and after all, we're just ordinary men."

people is people. seek the commonality between people. that stuff that is common with all people. and you have removed the "us and them". then you can see, that there is nothing that you know, or assume to know, that places you in any different state of awareness then any other guy out there. it is all just different modes of thought.

like I said, I don't mean to pick a fight. I just see this mode of thought ( the feeling of being different, and all others asleep ) too often on ATS. I used your thread to springboard my opinion. I'll refrain for now.

back to lurking.........

reply to post by JSR


There's nothing wrong with your opinion.

I would just argue that pointing out the differences is what sparks change.

Finding common ground facilitates it.

For me it is like some people stated before, I was into this before the internet even started and this site is just a global improvement for serious people that want the truth above all.

reply to post by JSR


*ahem* Just wanted to throw my 2 cents worth in on your opinion .

I am not speaking for the OP, just for myself.

The following are comments that you made that I would like to say something about..


YOU: why then do you differentiate yourself from the "sheeple", or those who, as you would put it, are not "awake"?

does not this very act of classification separate you from those who you have classed as not "awake"?

would you say you were better, worse, or no different than those people?

than if you find yourself no better, why label "them" as "asleep", and you as "awake"?

why would "they" be "sheeple" and you not? if your no better that is. would you be immune to manipulation?



ME: We are not all ONE individual, ya know. We are all seperate individuals w/ *gasps* DIFFERENCES . "People IS People" is the same as saying "Trees is Trees." But your line of thinking is flawed in that you don't recognize the individual "trees" .

The line of thinking you are trying to get across is wrong pertaining to this particular thread. it is kind of like saying "orange trees are apple trees."

There is nothing wrong w/ seeing the differences in ppl and trying to find those like~minded to whom you can relate. That is what those who are "asleep" (i prefer tunnel visioned lol) do. When one tries to talk about these things "out there" where the views of Ryan Seacrest are more valued than the views of, say Ron Paul or Alexander Flemming, for a large majority of us, we get ignored or have to look at blank stares in return.

Yes "people is people," but we don't all conform to the same cookie cutter mentality and in order to find those like minded, like it or not, we have to draw the line that seperates, yes, us from them.

however, that does not mean that our lives are of any more value inherently than their's, and vise versa; and it doesn't mean that we would look down on anyone. It is simply a valid observation that some of us, although we can fit into society and be accepted, can't relate to society anymore. Fact IS Fact!!


edited to add: actually, the more i think about it, there are probably lots of ppl out there who are wastes of spaces and ya know, i DO get annoyed w/ those who won't talk about anything besides what's right there in front of their face.

there is a whole mess of stuff going on in the world, both good and bad and there is nothing more irritating than tunnel visioned ppl. however, i respect their right to their limited brain usage, and do so by removing myself from the situation.

[edit on 14-7-2008 by justamomma]

Originally posted by justamomma

ME: We are not all ONE individual, ya know. We are all seperate individuals w/ *gasps* DIFFERENCES

. "People IS People" is the same as saying "Trees is Trees." But your line of thinking is flawed in that you don't recognize the individual "trees"

.

ha..very cute.
my point is this.
when you choose.....yes choose....to see your self as different in class, as those who do not find your interest, well....iteresting, you mentally place those people under your "ability" to see "the truth". what does that getcha? what makes your lofty view of the world any better than say someone who likes the entertainment industry. (being as how that seems to be the industry of choice for denagration here)

The line of thinking you are trying to get across is wrong pertaining to this particular thread. it is kind of like saying "orange trees are apple trees."

you state im wrong eh?
it would be like saying, your oranges are better than my apples. but eh, were still just trees here.

There is nothing wrong w/ seeing the differences in ppl and trying to find those like~minded to whom you can relate. That is what those who are "asleep" (i prefer tunnel visioned lol) do. When one tries to talk about these things "out there" where the views of Ryan Seacrest are more valued than the views of, say Ron Paul or Alexander Flemming, for a large majority of us, we get ignored or have to look at blank stares in return.

your right. nothing wrong with finding likeminded indiviguals to hang out with.

and when they talk about ryan seacrest....do you give them the same blank stares they give you? i wonder if they say the same things about you?

Yes "people is people," but we don't all conform to the same cookie cutter mentality and in order to find those like minded, like it or not, we have to draw the line that seperates, yes, us from them.

ahhh and you stumbled into my point.
where does that line have to be drawn? who chooses where that line is drawn? when the line is drawn, why does it never move?

when you choose to place people on the other side of your line, then you have choosen too. not them. they are who they are. and when you find your ina "society" full of "sheeple", just know, its a reality you have place apon your self.

so relax...and enjoy the "differences" *gasp* in people.

however, that does not mean that our lives are of any more value inherently than their's, and vise versa; and it doesn't mean that we would look down on anyone.

then stop denagrating them by calling them euphimistic names like "sheeple". and taking shots at their supposed lack of brain power by claiming they are asleep.

then nobody will think this of you.

edited to add: actually, the more i think about it, there are probably lots of ppl out there who are wastes of spaces and ya know, i DO get annoyed w/ those who won't talk about anything besides what's right there in front of their face.

look down on people? no...not you........

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[edit on 14-7-2008 by JSR]