Is ATS just another form of control? / Spelling & grammar errors on ATS

I admit, I've been sort of sucked into ATS in terms of checking up on all the new topics that are funneled through the servers every day.

I look for topics that interest me the most. I look for titles that grab my attention. Maybe my own topic caused you to click and read what I have to say? I'm not even sure if this thread will be moved or deleted.

If were to get really serious with ATS, I can see how obsessive and dangerous it could be toward my own mind.

What kinds of people are viewing these forums? Are they veterans? School children? Young adults? Thirty-something individuals? If you think about it, are we influencing them to do things different in their lives? Thinking twice about filing taxes? Turning away from MSM? I'm a young adult and I admit, I've become a bit more cautious and even more cynical toward my American government.

One could easily turn this into a destructive behavior. There are so many topics being posted, churned out almost like a factory, it's pretty crazy when you look at it. While all this posting and togetherness is going on, I must note, the idea that this could be a dependable place to go in time of need is comforting.

However, I just hope that no one is obsessing over this place. Because not only is it unhealthy, but it also puts a dent in the integrity of its community.

Just what if that were the whole point? What if ATS is really another form of control to turn the people into persons with quick tempers and aggression toward the law and government? Of course, anyone will say "well, you just have to learn to control yourself". But with setting your eyes upon rhetoric like "call to arms", to me, those are words that get me pumped up physically and mentally.

So, maybe ATS is just a way to vent and report. It's merely a place to inform and talk about the issues. What it does do is effectively grab your attention and keep you here. My point is, could ATS (or any other top conspiracy forums) be a form of control, so that they keep everyone entertained and chatting away while the world around them slowly crumbles? When you look at it, ATS is no different from reading People magazine or watching TMZ on your television.

And before anyone else says it, yeah, virtually anything could be used as a form of control.

Edited: Added a bit more detail.

[edit on 15-7-2009 by LiQuiD_FuSioN]

reply to post by LiQuiD_FuSioN


This is an awesome inside/out theory. I like your question.

As for 'doing something', I am more actively involved in 'not' doing something. Not contributing to a plethora of factors driving this country down the drain- or oppressing 3rd world countries, purchasing items produced by slave labor- eating food products created through torturous existence, etc.

I am still simplifying, reducing, being responsible and conscientious- which is extremely time consuming in this society- screaming buy, buy, get, rush, do, take, own, don't think, don't contemplate, don't consider.

Serious contemplation takes energy and time. ATS- having just discovered it- has been a time saver for me, as others have devoted a part of their precious time and energy to looking up relevant articles and posting them for everyone. I don't feel like it's all on my shoulders to see a glimpse into what I might be considering next.

As for doing something- I'm standing my ground. I rang the bell. The next move is theirs. ATS lets me see others have made a similar choice. I luv it.

Good OP; An interesting idea that ATS is used to distract people into talking instead of action.
But before ATS were you even aware of these subjects?

I missed the bit in OP about "Spelling & grammar errors on ATS" but I think it is important on ATS that people can effectively communicate their ideas to everyone. Including people who don't speak English as their first language.

eyes upon rhetoric like "call to arms", to me, those are words that get me pumped up physically and mentally

They are only words; so perhaps you need to work a bit on your anger?

Spelling & grammar errors on ATS

You need to remember that ATS has members located from all over the world where English may not be their first or even second language.

Unless someone is typing in "text" speach, which is against the T&C, then remember that the post you may be reading may be coming from someone who does not speak English as their first language

[edit on July 15th 2009 by greeneyedleo]

Originally posted by greeneyedleo
You need to remember that ATS has members located from all over the world where English may not be their first or even second language.

Unless someone is typing in "text" speach, which is against the T&C, then remember that the post you may be reading may be coming from someone who does not speak English as their first language

Pretty much my thoughts,this is an international site and the fact alot of people from non-english speaking countries atleast attempt to make their points in english is a good thing.On that note though i must say,Americans spelling lose as loose and boarder instead of border annoys the absolute hell out of me.

How much someone participates or gets fired up over these types of subjects is up to them. Personally, I enjoy reading more than contributing on ATS. I've never felt inclined to call in to c2c or Alex Jones show either, but I love listening to them.

Don't know if I would go as far to compare it to TMZ or People as I think the content is a bit more relevant.. but I get your point. Good post.

Originally posted by lightchild
Good OP; An interesting idea that ATS is used to distract people into talking instead of action.
But before ATS were you even aware of these subjects?

I missed the bit in OP about "Spelling & grammar errors on ATS" but I think it is important on ATS that people can effectively communicate their ideas to everyone. Including people who don't speak English as their first language.

eyes upon rhetoric like "call to arms", to me, those are words that get me pumped up physically and mentally

They are only words; so perhaps you need to work a bit on your anger?

I just want to say that I definitely respect ATS as well. It really is a cool site to go to and I visit it any chance I get.

When I say that ATS could be a form of control, I say it also in the sense that the great people that run this website are not even aware of it.

We are letting it control ourselves. Something TPTB want to see happen.

As for the comment I made about getting worked up over "call to arms", why deny how I feel? If none of these words make you act or think, then what's the entire point?

Originally posted by Solomons

Originally posted by greeneyedleo
You need to remember that ATS has members located from all over the world where English may not be their first or even second language.

Unless someone is typing in "text" speach, which is against the T&C, then remember that the post you may be reading may be coming from someone who does not speak English as their first language

Pretty much my thoughts,this is an international site and the fact alot of people from non-english speaking countries atleast attempt to make their points in english is a good thing.On that note though i must say,Americans spelling lose as loose and boarder instead of border annoys the absolute hell out of me.

Exactly. I apologize for including this in the title of my thread, but the reason I didn't touch up on it yet was because 1) I didn't think my thread would last and 2) I didn't have a chance to talk about this in a second reply away from the main topic.

Like you said, some spelling errors annoy the hell out of me. But for me, they sometimes scare me!

In at least every other topic there's someone who spells horrifically. The thing is, these are users who are throwing around pretty important topics. From sensationalist thread titles to breaking news threads, the importance of some topics lose their power when simple words are badly spelled.

I know, I know. I feel kind of dumb knowing I clogged the ATS forums with a self-indulgent thread. But I felt like talking about this. Hopefully this entertains the next person out there!

I just feel so overwhelmed, guys.

When I see posts like "Fellow ATS members, I am scared...." or "Journalist files charges against WHO and UN for Bioterrorism and intent to commit mass murder", I really don't know what to think sometimes.

The former makes me think about other peoples' lives. It makes me want to extend my hand to whomever posted that thread. The latter gives me hope that there are people out there who are willing to put themselves on the line for a better future.

It can be so overwhelming. And I almost feel helpless.

You can't tell me you don't feel this way sometimes. If you don't feel anything then what does that make ATS? A place for literature and leisure reading?

reply to post by LiQuiD_FuSioN


I'm not sure I understand your question. Raising awareness is an action. Becoming informed, making personal decisions and changes. What else can we actually control but our individual decisions? So change begins when one person makes it happen. One pebble in the pond creates many many ripples.

Do you mean flying off the cuff and using force to enact change? The battle at this time is over the minds, attitudes and character of the population. We're at the front lines of the battle.

Has someone suddenly raised the stakes and I did not know it? Words are the current choice of venue- so we use words. It does not mean we are incapable of matching other choices.

Protons- Electrons...get all the attention as they fight over primacy. So few pay attention to the Neutron- which alone, in the majority, create a stable environment.

[edit on 15-7-2009 by Skeptical_Seeker]

(whoops, somehow posted in the wrong topic - sorry)

[edit on 15-7-2009 by Skeptical_Seeker]

Originally posted by LiQuiD_FuSioN
I just feel so overwhelmed, guys.

When I see posts like "Fellow ATS members, I am scared...." or "Journalist files charges against WHO and UN for Bioterrorism and intent to commit mass murder", I really don't know what to think sometimes.

The former makes me think about other peoples' lives. It makes me want to extend my hand to whomever posted that thread. The latter gives me hope that there are people out there who are willing to put themselves on the line for a better future.

It can be so overwhelming. And I almost feel helpless.

You can't tell me you don't feel this way sometimes. If you don't feel anything then what does that make ATS? A place for literature and leisure
reading?

No friend, it's not just you. In fact, I think it's most of us.

I also think your basic premise is dead on. This place can of course be a form of subtle control. The entire internet can---and probably is----in my view.

Originally posted by Ev0lveUp
reply to post by LiQuiD_FuSioN

 

I'm not sure I understand your question. Raising awareness is an action. Becoming informed, making personal decisions and changes. What else can we actually control but our individual decisions? So change begins when one person makes it happen. One pebble in the pond creates many many ripples.

Do you mean flying off the cuff and using force to enact change? The battle at this time is over the minds, attitudes and character of the population. We're at the front lines of the battle.

Has someone suddenly raised the stakes and I did not know it? Words are the current choice of venue- so we use words. It does not mean we are incapable of matching other choices.

Protons- Electrons...get all the attention as they fight over primacy. So few pay attention to the Neutron- which alone, in the majority, create a stable environment.

Raising awareness over what exactly? It just sounds dangerous if it's not used properly.

That's another thing. Half the energy spent here is looking for credible sources. If anything, I'm more aware that we can be as lost as we choose to be. Maybe that's too harsh.

I'm more aware to ask questions. More aware that many things in this world are corrupt.

It makes me feel depressed just saying that.

When it comes to the T&C rules, there are probably many who have perfect grammer and spelling that get banned. It's sad to think that many of these have been very supportive of the site as well. I guess there are those who go postal here also.

The internet is also most likely a way to profile potential threats as well. So, yeah, it is another form of control.

It used to be that sitcoms were the pacifier for most working classes.

I think it's another way for us to learn to be better students and people also. In many ways, it's also group therapy.

It confuses me as to why we can't stop abuses like child pornography. I suppose it's another form of entrapement and control.

Service providers should be able to filter these out, I would think.

reply to post by LiQuiD_FuSioN


As the saying goes, "That's Entertainment!" I think that's an old one too. Don't delve too deeply into why you find yourself wanting to check out ATS all the time. It is entertainment and that is all. The thing I like about it is that you can actually learn something while being entertained. I was checking out my posts from when I first started coming here. They are atrocious and I couldn't seem to get my point across. Now, through watching how it's done, I am able to convey the most elaborate of thoughts and musings. Control? I don't see that one bit. They don't control me or my thoughts. I do have to go check out why Obama is the antichrist though. Haven't you heard? The world will end tommorow I believe. Or was that last week? I don't know, the government is more than likely using mind control on me again. I must go see my kitty. It is possessed you know. Have you seen the UFO's? They are everywhere! Oh, the white van will be here soon, this much is for sure. ATS is the key to unlocking everything! I know it. I just need more time here.

reply to post by LiQuiD_FuSioN

Hi, LiQuiD_FuSioN and ATS fans.

Don't forget that YOU have the choice to CLICK on a subject or NOT. . .

Many of them, I am not interrested in, and I never click on.
Some times, even on a non-interresting-subject-for-me, I click for
curiosity or fun. . .

But ONE thing I can ASSURE you of, is that ATS waked me up on
many subjects:
= Chemtrails,
= 2001/09/11,
= Fluoride,
= Vaccines,
= Additives in our food. [ I had my doubts, now I am sure ].
= MSM & TV, it's stupidity and the logic of. . .: WHO OWNs them !
[ but I was already a fan of INFORMATIVE TV, like PBS. . .]
= the great murderers on earth: petrol, pharma, armamment, big banks,
Monsanto, Codex alimentarius, . . .etc. . .etc. . .and. . . the PTB ??

ATS made me change:
Tooth paste brand,
Fruit juices brand,
Spruce beer to real natural. [Not a big real-beer drinker B-) ]
and other stuff I forget. . .

And, the first 2 lines in my signature REALLY waked me up too ! !

Soooo here in ATS, while reading, we must not panic. . . B-)
and read the adviceS from many sideS of the medalS. . . B-)

Blue skies.

reply to post by LiQuiD_FuSioN


interesting idea, but I don't see it.

discourse and information exchange is more empowering than distracting imho.

but as someone else said, some nice inside-out reasoning.

reply to post by LiQuiD_FuSioN


Nice concise phrasing. I only get to come on here and discuss things a couple days a week- so I am really enjoying this site. I don't feel like we're on opposite sides of this issue- I run a bit autistic- so I frequently sound defensive. Don't hold it against me.

Now I read your post- and thought- NOOO! Because I am absolutely unable to connect with anyone in my area on these issues. I can discuss fashion, the latest tv sitcom thing, new movies, restaurants or recently- the joys of dog breeding...but that's about it.

When you ask about raising awareness- I assume you have people around you to discuss these things with- or have dealt with these issues to the point where you have exhaustion with all the talk. I live in a primordial soup of absolute ignorance of most issues apart from Michael Jackson's death and the issues swirling about its cause. Seriously.

So for someone like me- to find you guys- is tantamount to seeing the ocean liner from the island. I'm really not alone, stranded forever- thinking how much the coconut looks like Micheal Jackson. (Sorry. Bad form)

I don't intend to stay on the island- staring at the ocean liner...but I have a much greater chance getting somewhere now than alone. So- where are we going? That's the question you consider- while I'm just celebrating I'm here.

Now- I'll just favorite this thread- and if in due time I'm still hanging out with my life's goal finding the be-all, end-all post for ATS- while the world crumbles around me- I ping you back to this thread and you can open that can of WA on me, after all.

Oh well. Here we go again.

It's like you want to come up with this theory without mentioning, or even considering where ATS came from, it's history, and everything else? Simon Gray puts up a conspiracy site that started long ago, because he was interested in discussing these things, and now all of a sudden ATS is all the things you mention in your OP?

NO. It is not. Not then, not now, and hopefully, not EVER.

I will only ever see ATS as another form of control when i am forced to come here every day by eithet TPTB or the 3 Amigo's. Until that day, it is merely my choosing to be here.

How i deal with the info that is on this site is my problem, be that in a good way or a bad one.

I think that you need to find a balance, or as you say, it could become a dangerous and harmfull obsession if one is not careful.

The difference with ATS in my opinion, is that you are interacting with far more people than you would in "real life". Thats thousands of different, and often explosive opinions in one place. Some handle that ok, some do not.

My advice would be to not worry so much about this place, it's really not out to get anyone or change us. I wouldn't compare it to any news network, because WE decide what info gets posted here.

Despite some members opinions, you don't get the management stipulating what we will listen to. If anything, ATS gives you more freedom of information that any news network on the planet. IMO anyway.

Spend time on ATS by all means, but also go outside, it's not all bad.

Go speak to other "real people", there are other subjects in the world other than conspiracies, which lets face it, are on the whole pretty much negative most of the time.

Say hi to a police officer....they aren't all bad.

Say hi to a soldier....they aren't all bad either.

Smile at someone wearing muslim dress, believe it or not, they just might smile back!

As someone once said, you become a master of what you focus on. So in that sense, if i stay on ATS all day absorbing nothing but conspiracy theories and the frequent negative personalities that we come across from time to time, what should i expect to turn into?

Good thread btw.

CX.