What have you really learned since joining ATS?

reply to post by gormly


WOW, I agree actually, however I am an alien, and I already knew you would post this, I planted into your brain as you slept .

I learned just how many people out in the world have no ability for critical thinking, and would believe anything they read on the internet.

The same people who call others "sheeple" for sharing the same views as the mainstream are they themselves the sheeple for believing what they read on alternative news websites solely because they are alternative news websites.

At least the people whose views match that of the mainstream used some critical thinking tools to form those views. Their views don't come from the mainstream, but instead those views are independently formed the same way mainstream ideas are formed -- and that's through critical thinking.

Some other people who, for example, believe in ET visitation or the 9/11 conspiracies will automatically, and without any critical inspection, believe what they hear on -- say -- "Coast to Coast" or what they read on "marsanomalyresearch.com" simply and solely because that news agrees with their pre-conceived views.

THAT'S what I call "sheeple" -- people who believe a news story only because that story matches that person's pre-conceived beliefs instead of verifying a story for themselves through critical thinking and research.

That's what I learned -- and it makes me sad to find so many people in the world are unable to think for themselves but instead automatically believe alternative news websites.

I have learned: that I have soo much to learn still.

Coming to ATS opened my eyes to a zillion topics that I never knew existed. And I have not even researched or read on many of these topics yet.

In a nutshell, I've learned to question everything and not be so quick to my determinations about things, whatever they be.

I've also learned that my concept of time totally slips away when I'm digging into forums and videos here.

I have learned that you never truly understand yourself, your views, your opinions or understand your whole outlook on life...

Until you have vehemently disagreed on every topic.. stopped and considered the opposing view point, and readjusting your own way of thinking. Perhaps equally important, I have learned to not only accept those with opposing views, but to befriend them. I am far more empathetic, rational, calm and collected then I was back in 2006.

Most importantly, I know who I am.

Okay, I'll give you props for an interesting topic.

What have I learned?

Yes, of course, I agree with many on the point that there are some that will simply believe whatever they are told and swallow some of the most outlandish tall tales imaginable. But I have also learned that there are those that take the exact opposite approach to arguments. They try to derail.

What I have also learned, or had reaffirmed, is the simple fact that our governments (virtually all-more likley every single one) have lied directly to our faces throughout history and have gotten away with it. Then you get some who will stand by that very same government and say that it is hogwash even when that government admits to the wrong doing. Then when we begin to question other events and wonder if our government is once again lying to us (I STRESS ONCE AGAIN) we get torn apart for the questioning.

I have learned to take in other people's opinions, digest them, and accept that they have a right to believe whatever they want. And that there will always be those that simply have to throw spite and venom into posts simply because it is in their nature.

I have learned to be both patient and impatient.

I have learned that I am not the only 1 who senses my galactic surroundings.

Originally posted by Soylent Green Is People

At least the people whose views match that of the mainstream used some critical thinking tools to form those views. Their views don't come from the mainstream, but instead those views are independently formed the same way mainstream ideas are formed -- and that's through critical thinking.

Some other people who, for example, believe in ET visitation or the 9/11 conspiracies will automatically, and without any critical inspection, believe what they hear on -- say -- "Coast to Coast" or what they read on "marsanomalyresearch.com" simply and solely because that news agrees with their pre-conceived views.

THAT'S what I call "sheeple" -- people who believe a news story only because that story matches that person's pre-conceived beliefs instead of verifying a story for themselves through critical thinking and research.

That's what I learned -- and it makes me sad to find so many people in the world are unable to think for themselves but instead automatically believe alternative news websites.

I understand what you are saying but then I simply ask this.

What about all of the previous examples and facts displayed on this site and verified in many cases by the very government and MSM bodies that perpetrated the acts in the past showing how we have been lied to, manipulated and mislead? And yet, just because they say that they aren't lying now we simply have to fall in step? You see, many of us have come from the life of believing everything the mainstream says only to find out that there are underlying factors like greed and power that still seem to find their way into the mainstream. Just because all of the stuff that was admitted to happened decades before doesn't mean it isn't happening now. (Wow, a double negative, sorry guys.)

Just thought I would try to make that point. Lie to me once...errrmmm.....dozens of times and I find it hard to believe you the next time you start pushing for something like......errrrmmm.... wars in foreign nations and such.

I've learned that no one is responsible for my own reality except for me.

I've also learned that many peoples motives are formed by their beliefs and that we as humans can turn this equation around and make our beliefs subject to our motives.

I've learned that I'm not as crazy as I thought for believing what I do because well.. there are a lot more crazy people out there :-)

I've also learned that I enjoy debating the far fetched with people and that even if we disagree on politics or religion we can find common ground on something.

Thank you ATS, and thank you OP

reply to post by Magantice


I've learned that I'm not as strange as my wife thinks I am.

Although my wife thinks we are all strange on ATS now. . . .

That people can be very gullible

That this can be an excellent place to get good thoughts and discussion on a wide range of topics.

That this can be an excellent place to pick up very important news items days before they hit the MSM (if they ever hit at all).

That this can be an excellent place to put the pieces of the above together.

I've also learned that there are some subjects (often threads on these generate some of the highest post counts here) that usually simply result in screen after screen of back and forth flames between those in favor of and those opposed to the subject.

What have I learned? That we have a huge and diverse range of opinions. That there is a what I will call a conspiritorial, very hard core ellement convinced we live in a "matrix" world, where everything is an evil plot by the (pick one or more) masons, illuminati, the NWO, the later no one has really defined for me, and for all I know the boy scouts. Goal is the same one, always a hit; world domination.

It would seem to me that in order to "dominate the world", someone would have done a cost vrs. benifit analysis. Right now, people make more money by neglecting others for many reasons such as a having a stranglehold over trade, then they would if the Earth was controled by dreadfull group of evil-doers. DO cospiracies exist? Of course they do. Another word that sounds nicer would be "monopoly". There are a vast number of organizations where "scratch my back, and I'll scratch yours" is the permanant standing order between one or more groups. There is a small store not far from me where the owner displays the business cards from a whole range, (most of which are retail) of companies. The store owner also has his business card displayed in several other companies. I asked about one company once I saw listed and that companies owner got a free sales pitch, and a good one, costing no one anything

That is a classic example of a conspiracy. By looking at this situation for what it is; two companies trying to promote each other, and not the work of dark forces, the NWO, world bank or the devil, there is no mystery here. One example of a type of being delusional thinking is seeing connections where there are none.(please forgive spelling errors...). Are there plots, co-operation, even co-ordination of strategic actions by groups of people? There sure are, my background with the federal government, (long time ago), and the corporate world showed me this. My security level allows me to see some very interesting things. A lot of which can be defined as people acting like pigs at a trough. The bottom line is if you smell "conspiracy", look at it from the national/group/corporate worlds concept of enlightend self interest.

Do some famous and grand conspiracies exist? Sure. I always think about is the UFO/ET situation. I have no dout by what I've seen and heard that an incredible situation exists and were just starting the complex process of crawling out of our cave, and squinting in the over powering sunlight. Really does leave you at a loss for words. Along those lines, the idea some people have we CAN't keep any secrets, I mean look at Watergate. Watergate came out because the Director of Central Intelligence refused to let the White House use it as a fall guy. In some countries, including many western ones all you would have needed is for a government official to point at the reporter and say something like; "this is a "D" (defense) notice situation". If you said/printed anything you would be promptly arrested. Most likely your media outlit ruined.

The U.S. does not have comparable law. We use disinformation and data overload to protect a great deal. By it's nature disinformation MUST contain to one extent or other ellements of the truth. Usually it works. Givin the vast amount of classified information we have, thats not hard to do. The key is not the level of classification something has for the most part, but the degree of information compartmentalization. Little trivia, this need-to-know process started in WW-2, and is usually specified as "sensitive compartmentalized information and access" or SCI/SCA. And while a Top Secret rating will usually have a fewer number of people in the loop then "Secret", this is not always true. SCI/A is seperate. A member of the intelligence/military community or President can control distribution of classified information is restricted to group or persons "X". Also a seperate designation is listed. It may for example contain a "release under the following conditions", or after so much time. Both broadstrokes are unusual, but they exist.

Also there is a small group that are bigots, be it anti-Jew, anti-Catholic, anti-right handed people. We seem to have it all. The good thing is I see a "train of thought" that might lead me to think X/Y,orZ is a bigot or a nut, but I don't see a whole lot of that. I like this site for the diverse number of topics, and most people seem really decent. I may not agree with you, or I may even think your a loon, as long as people are civil to each other we can talk...These are the main reasons I like the site. Last is I think the feedback from people is very cogent. I have learned, or gained insight from some posters, usually the ones I don't agree with. I like the huge range of topics. I have a passionate interest in UFO's, but if this site ONLY talked about that, I would be board to tears very quickly. For the record; I have seen some amazing US aircraft, but nothing I would call a UFO. Also as far as I know I've never been abducted.

...I should add there is an automatic declasssification process for information up to a certain point. It can be 50, 75, 100 years, however it was prorated in the first place...

reply to post by Magantice


I have learned that internet personalities are not representative of real personalities of the individuals in question. Everyone who gets online creates a new image of themselves that they portray to an online audience. It is interesting psychologically.

I've learned that the microcosm that is ufology/conspiracy/new age is populated by mostly capitalists and suckers.

I've learned that there are only about a dozen people on this website that post quality information.

I've learned that there are more insecure people in this nation than I thought.

I've learned there is such a thing as too open minded.

I've learned you can lead a horse to water but you can't fix their cognitive disorders.

I've learned that wading through all the junk on this site is still better than getting my news from MSM.

When I came to ATS I was in search of truth about many things. I was 'thrown' down the rabbit hole about 2 years after 9/11 and a whole new world was revealed to me. I learned that I have been lied to, and have been manipulated to believe things were true, and in fact, they were not what they seemed to be. I came to ATS in a 'waking stupor', fumbling around trying to find out what is real. My faith in God had been shaken, and I didn't know what to believe anymore. Since then, I have become a regular visitor here. I have learned that there are many people here who are in search of the same things I am. I have learned that there are also people here who don't care to deceive you and would have you chasing rabbits, if you will. I have chased a lot of rabbits here and elsewhere. I have found my faith in God to become more real to me than ever. I use to think aliens existed, now I believe they are something else totally. I have learned that ATS is a great site for breaking news. I found out about many stories that didn't make it to the main stream until weeks later. I have learned a lot about people, and the fact that some will believe just about anything coming down the pike. I have learn that there is a conspiracy dealing with everything from A to Z. I have learned that some conspiracies are real and some are just smoke & mirrors. It is up to the individual to discern truth from the disinformation pouring out of every corridor or the Internet. Above all, I have learned much about myself during my time in the rabbit hole. I am still on my journey, but I am more knowledgeable and I can truly say that the truth will set you free. Thanks for reading.

PS. I have learned to copy my posts before hitting the submit button. :-)

To not take conspiracy theories seriously

Originally posted by Hazelnut
reply to post by Magantice

 

I have learned that internet personalities are not representative of real personalities of the individuals in question. Everyone who gets online creates a new image of themselves that they portray to an online audience. It is interesting psychologically.

But I feel the internet is just a "presentation stage". It reflects who we are and what we want to be. The same as a telephone, or the talking heads on the news shows. But with the internet you don't get verbal inflection. With out TV and you don't see some ones reaction, if just an expression on their face. A lot of people use the net for the most part as their source of communication with others. I think people so shy or unsure of themselves need a way to get their views accross with out getting ill. That makes the net a great resource. I know someone at my company who if introduced to some one new will feel ill and start shaking. Her credentials are outstanding, but she was out of work for seven years because of this.

But on the net this persons transformation is unbelievable. She just needed to find a company where her skills would be appreciated with out her having to go through hell. I took a chance when I hired her seven years ago. One of the smartest business moves I ever made.

Originally posted by dracodie
To not take conspiracy theories seriously

I take some conspiracies very seriously, just not all of them.