Simply put...Topics that do not belong on ATS.

A short time ago I found ATS like many a fellow member by chance whilst searching for answers to questions I had involving a multitude of subjects. I cautiously perused the topics offered and found myself entrenched. I, (like many) credit much of my current level of understanding of "alternative topics" such as the ones given freely here to this site alone in addition to my own quiet research.

I have seen many members come and go, some good and many bad. I have been subject to IMO, great information as well as flippant displays of a multitude of falsities,hoaxes and just flat out lies...yet I remain, loyal and productive in my efforts to provide any and all information I deem relevant to our discussions right here. I believe firmly that all opinions matter however, I have found myself (at times) dismayed with the plethora of non conspiracy related topics readily found on the pages of "recent posts".

Upon a few days of reflection, I decided that it's best I keep my "mouth" shut on the concerns I have pertaining to this matter. Do I simply give up? Do I simply choose to ignore the multitude of threads that have absolutely nothing to do with the operational goals of ATS as a whole? Do I choose to go the way of many former (great contributing) members by simply "lurking"? How to best address my concerns without falling into that cliché of " ATS is dying" or "ATS is awsome".

So I decided to rely on the intellect of my fellow members in order to reduce if not significantly decline the amount of blight full, intelligence diminishing threads that serve as a "ball and chain" or an antithesis as it were, to insightful objective driven "truth seeking". In this humble conglomeration of letters I implore the insightful reader to accept the following question, "what do you want to know"?

This simple question has been the root of my "quest" to find the truth. I digress to this jumble of letters, symbols,markings...every time I find myself at a "mental road block " I rely on this question that even a child can understand to re direct my efforts and "regroup" my thoughts. In as much, I find myself unable to refrain from the feeling of need to exclude certain topics form the orderly discussion that takes place here at Above Top Secret.Com.

I had perceived my original notion of "the problem" as nothing more then frustration with seemingly meaningless threads created daily that are to be seen upon simply clicking on the "recent post" tab. But then I realized that I too had guilt on my hand as it were...for creating threads on impulse or on an excited level of interest to a certain video or article with the occasional "extreme" topic trailing close in tow.

I decided to take close look at the subjects that I deem, IMO unworthy of mention here as it pertains to discussion of conspiracy related topics, and I came up with the below mentioned as a starting point. It should be noted... I have no intention of this thread being taken as a "rant" for I'm not mad. I will not point out specific threads as I'm not out to "get" anybody. Nor is it my intention to in any way degrade,defame, or otherwise attack Above Top Secret.com in any way shape or form. I am simply aspiring to address a concern specifically not the domain as a whole.

I will list specific topics as well as the reasons I propose [they] not be accepted as reasonable additions to the Above Top Secret.com forum. With respect to the T and C that have already been set forth I feel these topics have somehow slithered their way through.

Porn_This topic holds no merit here, as it neither incites speculative discussion of conspiracy theory's nor does it take any type of affirmative approach to the search of "truth" as it pertains to "subversive" topics" unless it [subject] implies a cooberated conspiracy implicating otherwise "law abiding" citizens.

Celebrity issues- Unless specifically stated and implicated in any manner of conspiracy to deny, justice, liberty,or the per suite of "law abiding" lives of the majority of citizens residing in the country of the story's origin, thus perpetrating a notable example of a conspiracy to take away from the "otherwise" noted person illegally, money,information,quality of life, or other negative consequences.

ATS "Cheerleading" This is a far too common phenomena. This site is a place where like minded individuals can expect intelligent discussion on conspiracy related topics, the admin is responsible for promotion of the site via advertisements and such.There is clearly no "need" for the promotion of this site from within. It should be noted that a select percentage of members choose to frequent Below Top Secret.com as opposed to the main Above Top Secret.com, as their preferred means to forum their opinions. This is exactly what "BTS" was intended to do, that is provide an alternative discussion forum for a "break" from the more serious topics discussed on "ATS".

We all know that "ATS" is the worlds top conspiracy site and there's simply no need to engage the "naysayers" this included the members who have become emotionally involved in the loss of a debate,argument, or otherwise opinionated discussion resulting in a derogatory thread meant to validate said provocateurs claim(s).Taking part in said thread(s) only adds fuel to the "fire" resulting in the creation of more thread(s) akin to the post stated.

This type of what I will call intrinsically passive aggression posting, will often lead to heated discussion of un related, off topic, propaganda that negates positive interaction of the subjective matter that "ATS" is known for.In addition, this only provides for an unequivocal levy against the Base topics at hand, resulting in an a waste of bandwidth dedicated to an argument of the core reasons associated with an argument against the deceit of the people. This is what TPTB want! and [they] rejoice in our malcontent. Furthermore the systemic weight of burden to the moderators to remove or replace these thread(s) is a burden to the already troublesome task at hand...to those involved("MODS")

Racial radically objective material- Although the people of Earth have been elevated in their approach to issues of race,Many have chosen to remain confined in their beliefs. This alone does not equivocally substantiate a conspiracy, The truth is that many people remain firm in their beliefs that certain races remain less then "substantial" and it is in this belief that the tolerant majority will never prevail. So the issue is better left to be discussed in socioeconomically based forums.

Gender/transgender/gay topics- These topics are sensitive to many as thy pertain to the livelihood of those included in this category. Sexual orientation should have no bearing on topics concerning major conspiracy's. People are people...bottom line. When concerning the religious aspects of said topic the burden is placed on the "normal" person rather then the homosexual or the trans gender individual to "defend" their beliefs against the latter. This argument has no place in the conspiracy related world that is "ATS"

Degrading other sites- If you are a former member of another site claiming membership...then keep your insults to your self. Plain and simple....don't bring your complaints here. We care only about the the topics at hand, not the topics of your former host. The problems you faced at a previous host site do not apply here...your are expected to start over.

Conclusions. I, like many have come here for the per suite of truth as it pertains to our current and past history. I will no longer take part in debates that negate the search of truth. I humbly present the preceding paragraphs as a prelude to my everlasting and hopeful quest for the truth...as it pertains to this site. Please feel free to add your comments and opinions...Thank you(the reader)

I agree with your thoughts presented here on many levels. I think all of us could use some self-policing when it comes to sensitive ideas, topics, and opposing (yet thoughtful) viewpoints. I myself often have to let's say "re-direct" myself after becoming aggravated or frustrated with another poster or thread I didn't see eye-to-eye with or believed was inappropriate. I also believe in looking in the mirror first...

Originally posted by alyosha1981
Racial radically objective material- Although the people of Earth have been elevated in their approach to issues of race,Many have chosen to remain confined in their beliefs. This alone does not equivocally substantiate a conspiracy, The truth is that many people remain firm in their beliefs that certain races remain less then "substantial" and it is in this belief that the tolerant majority will never prevail. So the issue is better left to be discussed in socioeconomically based forums.

Your Signature -

A zoo has an African lion, the whitehouse has a lying African.

Sorry, but we all need to look in the mirror from time to time.

reply to post by Signals


Great point! hay I even succumb to intrinsic fallacies, given the current state of tings. Great of you to point out the ironic value of my signature, of course as it pertains to the topics at hand.

reply to post by alyosha1981


i really have a tough time understanding how you spent so much time and effort trying to say something really simple. your thread title was enough.
if you spent so much time and thought on this how did you misout on the following conclusions -

1. there are only so many conspiracies. all have been covered. new ones pop up once in a while and new angles on old ones are welcome.

2. new members haven't read all the old threads and may not have the same experiences in life as you do. they might think certain threads are more on topic than you deem them to be.

3. this is a public site. popularity comes with it's own troubles just like everything else. start your own site and make it password protected.

4. money

reply to post by alyosha1981



Pretty much all-around good points. I'm sure we can dredge up some more if we try. Let's see...two come to mind immediately:

-Personal squabbling/Personal attacks/Personal information leaks (i.e., use of real names or specific locations by posters who know each other, etc.)

-Spamming/online marketing/pushing your own web site aggressively, etc.

I dislike ideological arguments ("left versus right") and "my country rules, your country is evil" topics, because they bore me to tears. They are always the same, nobody convinces anyone of anything, it becomes a shouting match. But these can be "quarantined" in forums like "political madness" and if people want to ride their little hobby-horses into the ground, well, let them do so. I can ignore them at my leisure.

Recently, rather than topics themselves, I'm more concerned about aggressive and rude behavior WITHIN any given topic that lowers the tenor of discussion. Pretty much anything that involves extremely simplistic, black-and-white thinking along the lines of "I'm right, you're wrong, now shut up" is totally uncalled for. Unfortunately there seems to be a lot of that going round.

I liek pear sweets.

Whilst I understand your wish to have a civil discourse with other members of this community there will always be lines drawn as to what is appropriate and what is not.

For example I don't like those on the Aliens and UFO section of this forum who state unequivocally that unless someone can reproduce what is supposed to be a hoax that it should be taken as real almost as much as I dislike those who throw out a wild theory and say if you do the digging you'll find it for yourself (either because they've forgot, are too lazy to provide it or are being 'mystical' in their assistance).

But dem's the apples.

I could quite easily take pornography, celebrity, the cheer-leading of ATS and your other dislikes and make reasonable arguments for conspiracy theories from each of them. Am I here for that? Nope, but sadly I defend the right for those who are to say their piece upon it (as much as I personally feel about them).

It's good to get away from ATS for a bit, you'l find yourself return a little bit stronger and a little bit more tolerant. Well it at least worked for me!

The nutcases will move on, the charlatans become exposed, the young will grow up and those who care will still be around in one shape or another.

Have a break would be my opinion.

Have a kit-kat would not

-m0r

It's funny...when I first came to this board I thought it was too strict and should be more freewheeling...loosen up on profanity, etc...now I'm glad its the way it is. There are anon messageboards that are MUCH worse out there, despite the occasional gems.

reply to post by silent thunder


that's exactly what many a member seek...however to their dismay, find only irrelevant posts on un related topics.
That's whay I created this thread.

reply to post by alyosha1981


maybe you should message a super mod and ask them to promote you to mod so taht you can trash bin threads that you think aren't up to snuff.

other than that, leave it up to the mods. it's not your website. i used to get annoyed at all the jesus threads out there. apparently some at the website were too so the removed the point system and now we have flag contribution levels. so people are aware of what your'e talking about but it just doens't matter.

if this website went down due to inactivity it would be far worse than having to put up with some stupid threads. just dont' look at them.

reply to post by alyosha1981


alyosha1981, come on now! I regard you as "friend" here and I can't believe what I am hearing. Perhaps it is the fact you are uncomfortable with some of the subjects you mentioned? The idea of "free speach", as intended here on ATS is to ultimately discredit the methodology of mind control we are currently subjected to. In order to do so, ALL truths must be discovered, not just those we feel appropriate. BTW, I cannot STAND the Predictions and Prophesy section! But what the hell?

ColoradoJens

reply to post by Moodle


I've never been afforded the opportunity to become a moderator. i will never say that the job is easy but I will say that the overall task is great and I respect a many of "MOD" who have put in the time to actually contribute to the overall success of ATS as a whole!

reply to post by alyosha1981



Funny you should voice these grievances now...
I've been thinking a lot about it recently, and I am pretty sure I am not the only one, so I think those in charge should take it very seriously.

What irks me - and I am putting it very mildly - is that there are threads that clearly do not belong on ATS (at least as I understood the concept of it when I first joined it), because they are simply an exchange of purported experiences echoing the original post, without any real discussion about the phenomena underlying - but at the same time BTS is full of threads that would actually belong here.
(Not everyone shares your high opinion of BTS; and this has nothing to do with the people or subjects covered. It's just that once a thread lands there it's pretty much dead for all intents or purposes.)

For example, there is a thread going on about celebrities who "were" dead and now they are alive "again".

Disregarding the fact that this very subject has been broached extensively in AT LEAST two previous threads, to my knowledge, there is the matter of quality of discussion. Namely, there is none. It's just a pile-up of personal stories and thoughts, which are by definition impossible to verify, so their "objective" value is nearly inexistent.

Even worse: judging by the reception of a few posts that did try to steer the talk in a more fruitful direction, discussion is actually shunned in that thread.

How, then, does it belong here and not in the "chit chat" section of BTS?

On the other hand, I have seen threads on BTS that are of great informative value and integrity.

For example, there is a thread featuring very good documentary photographs of a delightfully elusive physical phenomenon called the "green ray".
Not only it ended on BTS, but it is was posted under - "member art". (?!)

I also remember a potentially very interesting, not to mention useful, thread about books.

And there is a thread authored by yours truly about a fantastic learning resource that clearly delighted many of the kind and articulate souls who frequent this site. I can tell because it received more than 20 flags in a matter or two or three days - before it was suddenly moved to BTS, on grounds too ridiculous to be repeated here. (Sorry: it's true.)
Since then, it hasn't received a single flag.

(If you read my opening post in that thread, then you know my sentiments about flags and stars. I always thought they should be dispensed with.
But the fact is they DO show the level of interest that a thread generates.
And while I get nothing - not even a "kick" - from flags or stars, all the potential beneficiaries from that thread did. A LOT.)

So, yes, there definitely is a need to review - and thoroughly so - the process that determines what thread goes where.

Unless it is all about money.
In which case, of course, nothing of what is being said here will matter.






[edit on 6-1-2010 by Vanitas]

reply to post by ColoradoJens


Greetings! I will exemplify your question: I will not continue to add to the already crowded portion of "ATS" that continue to challenge the forum as a whole...that's all

reply to post by alyosha1981


I don't know if this kind of double post is allowed; I admit I didn't properly read your thread. I obviously believe that these topics, when addressed as in the OP, SHOULD be banned. I incorrectly assumed the meaning, which is another thing that has been a bane of mine since joining here at ATS. Mentioned previously, I'll state it again - It's what keeps me coming back as I have been proven wrong about so many people, so many arguments, over and over and over...

CJ

reply to post by ColoradoJens


Please feel free to to read the Op in it's completion and then responf. I will respond as the reply's come

i've been waiting sooo loooooong for a vent thread.
really though, lot's of good points.

i think all streets lead to avenues though;
people are dumb, inconsiderate, hypocritical, sarcastic, ignorant, beligerant, selfish, emotional, immature, arrogant.....

ahhh a world without the many. it's impossible to have a large community of anything without it being diluted.

what all these characteristics lack is honesty and integrity!

reply to post by notsympl


Sorry I was not implying that people are intolerant or otherwise "dumb". I was just simply putting in conglomerate...an ideal of what "ATS should be!

I respect all opinions except those that fall into the realms of the specifics i placed in "Laus deo" I will respond to all, within my means...but don't fell bad if I don't address individually

[edit on 6-1-2010 by alyosha1981]

As long as you're not violating the t&c, not personally attacking a member and there is an conspiratorial angle you should be able to discuss ANYTHING.

I tell you, even as a "new ager," threads like this: Jesus Juice are what disgust me. If you're going to argue against something, at least have some knowledge of what you are arguing against. Don't denigrate just for the sake of denigration.

[edit on 6-1-2010 by SpeakerofTruth]