ATS Censorship today?

Originally posted by SkepticOverlord
It's always been an issue... what's your point, and why do you call us a "money making scam?"

I never did. That was NYKE.

I summed up my thoughts in my previous post.

My personal belief is that for a conspiracy site to address all issues evenly, it must be relatively autonomous. What that means is that outside influences can't impact the content of the board.

I understand the possible arguments in favor of the ATS method. I know that as a business, which will make money, the 'word' can be spread to more people. However, sacrifices must be made in order to increase the spread. I think this goes back to the discussion about the mainstream.

The very nature of ATS is to be outside the mainstream, but it needs to be in the mainstream to optimize profit. Sort of a catch 22.

What's rats?

Can I go to RATS?
I am so confused.

reply to post by Stormdancer777


Really Above Top Secret. It exists outside of the googleable.

Originally posted by cenpuppie
Urgh, i wouldn't pay to much attention to him. He's hatin cuz he thinks that the ATS is flippin a profit.

"Hatin' " is a relative term.
"Cuz" is also a relative term (short for cousin, I assume)

And yes, ATS is "Flippin' a profit."

Originally posted by Hellish-D
And yes, ATS is "Flippin' a profit."

Which enables you to have the privilege to come here and participate for free.

Ironic isn't it, you take issue with the very thing that enables you to take issue,






[edit on 20 Feb 2009 by schrodingers dog]

Originally posted by Hellish-D
And yes, ATS is "Flippin' a profit."

Well, gee I'd hope so. I wouldn't want them to actually being paying out of pocket and losing money just so we can all have a place to run our mouths. There's nothing wrong with turning a bit of profit. Some ads and some merchandise. Not like they are charging for membership here.

Originally posted by Hellish-D
What that means is that outside influences can't impact the content of the board.

There are no "outside" influences having an effecting on content.

However, sacrifices must be made in order to increase the spread.

What "sacrifices" are those?

The very nature of ATS is to be outside the mainstream, but it needs to be in the mainstream to optimize profit. Sort of a catch 22.

I think this is the problem... you're not understanding (or unwilling to understand) what we're trying to accomplish... and what "alternative topics" really are.

Conspiracy topics, and the majority of other topics here on ATS, are clearly and firmly in the mainstream. Lots of movies, lots of news, lots of books, and lots of TV specials cover the topics that are discussed on ATS. Clearly, we're not outside the mainstream when you examine the topics.

Our efforts are focused on improving the overall perception and acceptance of these topics... which, while in the mainstream, are often the subject of jokes and derision. By improve the way in which we deliver and communicate these subjects, perception will improve.

Any business needs profit to grow. If you're unhappy with our methodology, you're more than welcome to simply stop visiting.

reply to post by schrodingers dog


I thought our payment was intellectual property? As we post, our content drives the ATS machine, which supplies ATS with capital through ad revenue?

Perhaps I am mistaken, but isn't that why there's the little link on the bottom of each post saying that what you say no longer belongs to you once you post it?

Originally posted by Anonymous ATS
Perhaps I am mistaken, but isn't that why there's the little link on the bottom of each post saying that what you say no longer belongs to you once you post it?

It doesn't say that, and never said that. So, you ARE mistaken.

Originally posted by SkepticOverlord

Originally posted by Hellish-D
What that means is that outside influences can't impact the content of the board.

There are no "outside" influences having an effecting on content.

I'd argue that the moment profit is involved it exists as an outside influence. Although its effects may be negligible, they exist.

Any business needs profit to grow. If you're unhappy with our methodology, you're more than welcome to simply stop visiting.

Oh Bill, you know I've never been one to fall for the whole "If you don't like our country, then get out!" argument. I enjoy a lot of the site. I'd hope that this minor criticism isn't taken the wrong way.

ATS is a forum where I can come for interesting debate and a feel for the general conspiracy attitude, but I'll always acknowledge that it's a business.

But don't worry, that won't distract from my contributions.

Originally posted by Anonymous ATS
Perhaps I am mistaken, but isn't that why there's the little link on the bottom of each post saying that what you say no longer belongs to you once you post it?

No, what it says is:

Attribution. You must attribute authorship of the work to "Anonymous ATS; a member of AboveTopSecret.com", and include the title of the message thread, ATS Censorship today?; and this full link URL to the post: www.abovetopsecret.com... (Unless otherwise noted, photography and other artwork linked within member posts are subject to the usage rights of the individual owners of the linked artwork.)

Which means that it is still your intellectual property, but if people view it offsite, they'll have to come back here for the rest of your thoughts.

But I wonder, If one were to post the exact same content on two sites, would that be a violation of this if ATS wasn't acknowledged on the second site?

reply to post by Hellish-D


You've been here less than two weeks. How would you know what the trend in threads here is? The paranoid conspiracy minded person in me wants to know how you came up with this.

Originally posted by Hellish-D
Oh Bill, you know I've never been one to fall for the whole ...

You are calling him Bill and you expect he knows your posting history?

Okay .. who are you? Or should I say .. who WERE you ???

reply to post by FlyersFan


It says Bill in big letters in his avatar. I thought that if he was willing to broadcast his name so publicly, it would be ok to call him such.

SkepticO,

Let me know if that crossed the line.....

Originally posted by Hellish-D
Oh Bill, you know I've never been one to fall for the whole "If you don't like our country, then get out!" argument.

I do?

Are you a returning regular under a new name? I have no idea that I should know what you're indicated.

reply to post by SkepticOverlord


My mistake, I forgot a comma. It should read:

Oh Bill, you know, I've never been one to fall for the whole "If you don't like our country, then get out!" argument.

Originally posted by FlyersFan
reply to post by Hellish-D

 

You've been here less than two weeks. How would you know what the trend in threads here is?

The paranoid conspiracy minded person in me wants to know how you came up with this.

Two weeks. So if a person has spend multiple years reading ATS posts and getting a feel for the members and content then that is lost when a person registers with a username.

I always love the 'you're a newbie' argument.

Edit: sp


[edit on 2/20/2009 by roadgravel]

reply to post by roadgravel


We newbies never have anything important to say and are always a little dimwitted.

ce que sera

This thread is devolved into oddness. The original concern expressed in the opening post turned out not to be a real concern after all (the thread is still available).

Thread closed.