The SUSPENSION of illicit drugs/mind altering substance topics on ATS (The experiment failed)

Originally posted by pieman

ANY discussion of illegal drugs or mind altering substances (even if they are legal in your country, state, province, county or city) ends today

no more beer or prozac discussion then? nice. does flouride count as mind altering?

a great day for ATS, enjoy enforcing this one guys.

It is attitudes like this that make threads like this happen.

Argue for the sake of argument, seriously.

I knew this would happen - and the unfortunate thing is that it is the late 2008/new 2009 crew who are flaunting the T&C in regards to the topic. Anyone who has been here longer than 2 years and continues to divulge personal experience on related topics, is not really aware of the rules and therefore not really part of ATS, imo.

I am disappointed in the fact we cannot, as adults, discuss the topic. It is indeed a valid subject for discussion. BUT I saw it coming. I know the rules, I follow them at every opportunity when I have to think if I will be in breach of them. I've fallen over a few times, never for heinous crimes but for simply engaging another in conversation in a thread and thus being off topic.

Its a sting to be pinged for.

BUT to willingly and blatantly flaunt the T&C when it is patently known the topic is taboo - people do it anyway.

I can only say that I wish the people who step over the line were the ones punished for this, and not the mature, sane, Adult members of ATS who CAN and DO discuss things without having to resort to a "I [insert subject activity] all the time, its cool" anecdotes.

It is a very subjective topic. But the reasons it is often raised, are not.

But as Springer said, there are many other sites for this. Sadly, not any that are objective. At least that I know. It's either hippies or biblebashers.

Ahh the world, such a fickle pickle..

Holy cow, this thread exploded. It closed right when I was about to try and jump into the discussion earlier. I figured it wouldn't be reopened for awhile. I take it I've missed my chance to ask for a nomination to that DISC forum?

reply to post by bloodcircle

Anyone who has been here longer than 2 years and continues to divulge personal experience on related topics, is not really aware of the rules and therefore not really part of ATS, imo.

So i guess i am not a part of ATS?

I have only been here really for about a solid year. I am known to bring personal experience to many subject i talk about(Although drugs are usually not one of them).

So i will ask, Am i not Part of ATS?

Wait so I have a question.

What can or can't we discuss? In the original post it was said that NO drug related discussion would be tolerated but then the policy has been changed it seems to allow other things...

reply to post by Frankidealist35

Originally posted by SkepticOverlord
But it needs to remain clear, that unless and until we collectively agree on a new strategy to discuss these topics on ATS, the no-tolerance rule will remain.

[edit on 25-2-2009 by darcon]

[edit on 25-2-2009 by darcon]

Originally posted by darcon
So i guess i am not a part of ATS?

So i will ask, Am i not Part of ATS?

Of course you are!

reply to post by darcon


What about the other news items related to drugs?

There are quite a few news items about drugs these days...

reply to post by interestedalways


Of course i am, I am just proving a point, with emotions and sarcasm.

I was just pointing out that anyone who is a member, is a part of ATS!

aahhhhh lol

Seriously though, i am glad to know there are more people out there who are compassionate and sensible. If i could star you i would

[edit on 25-2-2009 by darcon]

[edit on 25-2-2009 by darcon]

reply to post by Frankidealist35


Indeed this is why we sit here and wait. This is a big issue, that many are not going to take lightly, regardless, those subjects are not supposed to be talked about as of late.(For the exception of this thread of course.

Will this lead to the end of all Gun related topics?

Will this lead to the end of all religious related topics?

Will this lead to the end of all sex related topics?

Where does it ever end when it comes to your Freedom of speech being

taken away in The United States Of America?

[edit on 26-2-2009 by amari]

Originally posted by Unit541
While we're clearing the air, can we please get a list of "mind altering substances" that we are allowed to talk about? Or can we not discuss things like fluoride in the water, food additives, vaccine conspiracy theory, or other prescription medications as they relate to conspiracy theory?

I don't get this. We all know exactly what is being discussed.

I suppose I do understand the frustration, but if you want your entheobotanicals, they are still there and not any different than homotherapies I would assume.

As far as I know, it is related to what the entire world consider 'drugs' in the context of the illegal substance abuser (which I know is utter BS). Not what you get from a chemist, or what we ingest from water or the air.

And it's pure argument for argument sake to muddy the waters even if you're wearing a frustration suit.

reply to post by amari


I don't think so. To be honest, i don't think the staff was anticipating this sort of response when they did the BAN on drugs. If they were to take religion out of the picture, well, i don't think Half the staff, if not more would agree to that. As for the guns, well, i know a few mods who would not like that one bit, along wih many other posters. Regardless, drugs is another big topic, right up there with religion and guns, you can see that by the response this thread has had.

Originally posted by mattifikation
Holy cow, this thread exploded.

I started on page one, and I think I wont consider the rest.

Blimey, I try to wait an entire read before posting, but did 2 from pg1 alone.

Best I don't read more, I don't think the most staunch sadist could handle more of my gibberings...

oO

45+ pages in a day. Has to say something about how the populace here feel !!

food for thought at least..

Originally posted by darcon
reply to post by bloodcircle

 

Anyone who has been here longer than 2 years and continues to divulge personal experience on related topics, is not really aware of the rules and therefore not really part of ATS, imo.

So i guess i am not a part of ATS?

I have only been here really for about a solid year. I am known to bring personal experience to many subject i talk about(Although drugs are usually not one of them).

So i will ask, Am i not Part of ATS?

Never said or insinuated that. My point was that if someone who has been here for an extended length of time YET continues to break the T&C in regards to the subject (illegal drugs), then they are obviously not part of the ATS ethos. How can they be. they are blind to the goings on.

I never said anything about other topics.

In those, I expect personal experience. We need those.

I am not sure you read my post in the context it was meant, or I may have not expressed my thought properly, either way, I am in no way suggesting what you think..

Originally posted by darcon
reply to post by interestedalways

 

Of course i am, I am just proving a point, with emotions and sarcasm.

I was just pointing out that anyone who is a member, is a part of ATS!

aahhhhh lol

Seriously though, i am glad to know there are more people out there who are compassionate and sensible.

If i could star you i would

[edit on 25-2-2009 by darcon]

[edit on 25-2-2009 by darcon]

Then you obviously did not understand my point.

If someone comes here to disrupt ATS topics with garbage and anecdotal tales of indulgence which have no relevance to the topic nor contribute to the quality of the topic, AND they are in breach of the T&C - THEY ARE NOT ATS. they are trolls.

They serve no purpose than to themselves.

THIS was my point.

And they are, in my personal opinion, the very reason we have to have rules such as this. And my point included that ANYONE here for longer that 2 years who continues to break those rules, and continues to flaunt their personal life in lieu of those rules, ARE NOT ATS.

I try my best to oblige the rules. As do most, indeed 99% of the people I read, do.

No, not everyone who signs up to these forums are a member of ATS. Some are just trolling for funnies, some are haters and some are just not interested in the reason ATS exists and post here thinking it's just like 4chan.

Originally posted by Benevolent Heretic
I'm sorry it had to come to this, but I certainly understand and sympathize. If people would just read and follow the T&C, this wouldn't have to happen.

And this is why these things have to be spelled out.

Originally posted by pieman
no more beer or prozac discussion then? nice. does flouride count as mind altering?

Check the title of the thread. ..."illicit drugs/mind-altering substances"

The word illicit belongs to both drugs AND mind-altering substances. The phrase "illegal drugs or mind altering substances" could be expanded to "illegal drugs or illegal mind altering substances."

Are beer, prozac or fluoride illegal? No? Then they're ok.

Actually BH, and you know I love ya, but in many countries, the drug named Alcohol is illegal and viewed the same way as some of the other drugs which are illegal in our country.

And although not politically illegal, prozac and others are seen as illicit in many religious circles.

Perhaps that should be clarified in the T&C's I mean it's culturally relevant to the nation where ATS resides, but as it's spelled out currently it is real easy to interpret it to mean Alcohol as well as it is a mind altering drug, and it is an illicit drug in many countries.

I'm not going to argue policy on this one, but I will argue semantics, as I believe the policy should be air tight and not vulnerable to cultural interpretation. Let's just say no discussion of mind altering drugs at all... Now this does mean that when the article which declares that x number glasses of Y is good for you, then we can't discuss it. Regardless if Y is Alcohol, or any other mind altering drug.

You really have to go the "Mind altering" route because, there are many new designer drugs which are not classified as illegal or illicit yet, but are still mind altering, and as I interpret the intentions of ATS leadership, these discussions would be no different than those about the current topic.

The only real problem I see is if California happens to pass the current bill which was just presented the other day... If that happens, supporters will run amok on these boards, and many will be culled from the community.


UPDATE: I just noticed the title of the mix show on BTS today....

"Take Me Drunk, I'm Home, Ociffer - BTS MIX 46"

Now that is some Irony ;-)


[edit on 25-2-2009 by HunkaHunka]

This is just plain silly.

1) some drug related topics ARE COMPLETELY relevant. ('___' anyone?)
2) freedom of speech restricted on a conspiracy site? come on.
3) Someone just wants to do less work...

ATS has gone to *SNIP* :d n:

Mod Edit: No Profanity

[edit on 2/25/09 by FredT]

The fact of the matter is, discussing illegal drugs is not illegal in the US and so I see no other reason for this to be a bannable offense except for the reason that advertisers or partners don't like all this drug talk.

It's your site, but please don't lie to us.

To me there is no question.

If one is looking at it from individual or freedom standpoints,...yes, it may be construed as a form of supression or censorship.

But I can assure, the direct effect from a webmaster point of view, is lower exposure, lower acceptance through firewalls, and a variety of other reasons that hamper and inhibit a website.

There comes a point where the inevitable becomes the current standard, for the overall benefit.

It is not just a matter of legaility nor social acceptance.

Just my opinion.

[edit on 25-2-2009 by smirkley]

My complaint letter for all to see:

No drug talk whatsoever?
Drugs are incredibly relevant to many topics today, just refer to my last thread.
You cant just turn your cheek to something because you dont like it... it still exists, it still effects us... and what about conspiracies of the govt.'s involvement in drugs?
What about the govt.'s involvement of handing out drugs to cause epidemics so they can make them illegal?
What about scientific studies and religious studies that say certain drug usage takes you to a realm only visable through years of meditation, forming a link between natural chemical foiund in living things to the metaphysical world?

We all know the terms and conditions... If someone talks about using drugs, warn them once and ban them if they do it again... its not that hard people... or are you guys just too tired of working? Want to just sit back and think you've made a great website with great sponsors.
Well, like all empires, they eventually fall. Keep this up, see where the site goes.
First this, what next?

I'm not a newb when it comes to this site... but what the are you guys thinking?
I'm truly disappointed in you...

Mod Edit; No profanity please


[edit on 2/25/09 by FredT]