What does ATS mean to you?

i was on ats for 6 months before i discovered the laughter and joy of BTS , before bts ats was above all else a learning experience for me , over 2 years later , after almost 1000 posts of mine , ats is still a learning experience yet i now know enough about earthquakes and volcanos to be able to tell the difference between whats real and whats fake among those two subjects ..

yes those two subjects are my obessions .
on BTS im able to relax a bit and have a good time throw into the mix some of my humor which im sure most people on here dont get .

and then last but not least there ats chat, my homeroom on the internet so to speak, where iv had the pleasure of meeting a lot of like minded people such as my self ....

the show i listen to when after the first 10 min if it catches my ear ill listen to the whole thing if now byebye show....

ATS is part of my family, and it has and will continue to help me though a very diffecult time in my life which has yet to be over ......

I am a man of many interests above my station some might say. I am politicaly minded, deeply interested in science, criminology, forensics, philosophy, technology, astronomy, and ecology. These are but a few of my interests and when I am interested in something I absorb all that I can upon the subject.
In ATS I find a source by which I can attain, assimilate, and configure data on any subject at the click of a mouse, and the thrash of a keyboard.
Before joining ATS, my knowledge although not by any means limited on the subjects which interest me, lacked a certain element, a connection with the overmind shall we say. I could hold forth on many subjects before joining, but it is only after a few years of connection with this most august body of minds, that I feel confident in my understanding, and my ability to converse deeply on a given subject. I have some fiercely intelligent friends in life outside the internet, but they are not given to deep examination of a subject which bares no instant effect upon their situation. This is not a mark of ignorance, since it is intelligent to retain intellectual resources to affect a positive outcome of ones daily routine. However, when merely trudging through the days between now and my death, I found my mind in a state of atrophy. Now my most important muscle is excersized most thoroughly here, in banter with other members, and in the ebb and flow of information which comes through this hub.
Without this site, the quality of its members and thier contributions, I have to confess that my mind would be much less agile , smooth in operation, and less full of understanding for the veiws of others. This place means so much to me, since it is the only place I have ever had the intellectual freedom to express my veiws, share my knowledge, and test myself against problems and puzzles without limitation.
My only hope is that in return for the service this site has done me over the years, that my contributions to the site might offer the same oppertunities to others, that the existance of this forum has offered me over the years.

God Bless ATS and all who sail in her!

reply to post by intrepid


It means occasional good thread, but too many facebook people come here today. Thse people have no idea on alot of the stuff talked about here, and although they are welcome to there opinion, the opinion means nowt.

Ats is also better than going to news sites.

For me, ATS is a microcosm of the people of Earth, and a home away from home where we can interact and discuss ideas that nearly everyone has, but only a few choose to talk about.

Sort of a warm, dry coffee shop with worn but comfortable chairs and round tables -- in the back are serious and complex concepts and research being discussed, around the edges of the room is less lofty but enjoyable chit-chat, and toward the front are the tables with current stories of interest that everyone is talking about. Occasionally there is a 'runner' who dashes in, excited to share the new news, and the front pauses momentarily to consider the story, and makes room for the runner. There is always a chair for everyone, unless they choose to stand.

From outside, it's a noisy buzz of laughter, loud voices, clatter of mugs and rustle of newspapers, but inside, it's a soothing thrum of busy minds, soothing as the surf.

too much coffee? Maybe I'll try decaf a while.

I'm definately an ATS addict!

Although I don't post very often I'm here every day to look for non-MSM and other alternative topics.

I would dare say that every topic is/has been discussed and debated and proved and debunked on here, plus unbelievable amounts of information available, presented and shared by knowledgable members after many hours/days/months of research.

My sincere, humble gratitude, and utmost respect to you all

Entertainment, debate, discussions, knowledge, education ...

I love the community aspect, the maturity of the moderators...

But most of all, i love the topics - ranging from the zany to the shocking to the tear-jerkers...


A great site.

reply to post by intrepid


Informative in an entertaining way, entertaining in an informative way. Educational because it leads me to investigate and flesh out new ideas, re-work arguments, step back, rethink - and to think and play creatively.

I've acquired skills here it would have cost me a fortune to learn in a school, and been motivated and pushed to learn by this site: how to write and present information properly, just to be heard above the clamor; how to research on the Net, comprehensively and efficiently; how to do sound and make podcasts, edit visuals and make film. Never mind the actual subject matter.

ATS makes me stretch, keep learning and keep growing. ...A truly significant achievement, given the now-pandemic proportions of early onset dementia. ...I have no doubt ATS' beneficial effects far out-weigh any perceived negative ones that might occur. Very very occasionally, an extremely troubled soul can't respond to other members' concern and compassion (aware kindness most always accompany critiques), and can't be helped to overcome their affliction - but far far more commonly, ATS members DO benefit in myriad and probably measurable ways.

Like good literature, ATS has layers and sub-plots, themes and sub-themes. It leads me to look at old things in new ways, new things in old ways. Gives me AHA! moments and ho-hum ones too. I confess I skip a lot of threads and posts and take regular "sabbaticals," but I always come back, always look further - and always keep learning and thinking and growing here.

ATS keeps me engaged, and interested in the world in ways the mainstream media could NEVER do - because our members are so diverse and delightfully opinionated. Because being "politically correct" is not the goal here - because the core members really DO want to find the truth. Because unlike the MSM, posters do not need to fear taking risks. ...ATS is not like reality TV - it IS real.

...As far as hacks, agents and posters-with-agendas, the ones I really dislike are the 'new age Internet marketers' - the people getting $20 for 100 words spread over 5 posts to promote products and push ideas, and the people charged by their religion or organization to "spread the word." Yuck.

But such marketers are everywhere on the Net, and their footprints here aren't nearly as bad as on other sites where mods either over-control in the extreme, or sit back and allow truly horrific gang-stalking, bullying, rudeness and vitriol. ...The T&C and supervision here are well-balanced and effective, and in the end, the site works.

Thank you ATS.

being on ats is like watching a plane crash in slow motion

reply to post by intrepid


That is a very good question.I am on ATS
about 3 hours a day,average.I come here
to read up on news,articles on survival,to
escape and enjoy.
I sometimes annoy others and sometimes
they annoy me.I am learning to curb my temper,
because I don't want to be punished by the mods'.
When I am being "bad" and a mod shows up,I
scatter off the board like a roach.I come back
later to see if I'm still a member and start over
again.

ATS means : "Pics or it didn't happen"
We try to deny the ignorance, while daily we accept it, make guidelines, forums and rules to promote it.
OMG look>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> It's Nibiru!!!!!

ATS for me is ....


Insightful, laughable, annoying, educational and one big dysfunctional family.

PEACE

Slay

Originally posted by mamabeth
When I am being "bad" and a mod shows up,I
scatter off the board like a roach.

Quick!

Somebody get me a broom... I'll kill it.

Town square.

A cacophony of noise and interests...wonderful in nearly every detail.

reply to post by SLAYER69


Slayer,you got it right!I can't flag
or star you,here's for you

reply to post by SLAYER69


Slayer,you would have to take a number
and wait your turn.There are others already
ahead of you,including my ex

What ATS is to me is a communinty of like minded individuals that want to see the bigger picture not just the peice the media would like you to belive.

I like ATS, because of being able to look at views from your perspective.
A place where you can say, what you think, and at times take a little heat.

reply to post by intrepid




I've had this discussion with a friend here a few times.

This is mainly how I used to feel about ATS.... when it WAS ATS, now It's mainly fragmented and has lost It's way/purpose, but is still ultimately a good place.


ATS is an actual place. It's a place where people can meet and share ideas and communicate.
It's like a bar or a club or a street... or anything, just a place where all different kinds of people can meet and talk to one another and discuss things and read about things that many people either don't or wont talk about.

ATS "feels" like a place... not just some random website with text and pictures and so on, like the millions of others, but an actual community... a diverse and rich community with everything that entails.
Trouble, fights, cliques, tragedies, loss, inspirational stories, romance, friendship.

Every human emotion and experience.


ATS is entertainment... the best kind, interactive entertainment, you can change and participate in the flow of the conversation, you can start conversations, air your opinions and challenge others on theirs.

Or you can just be a voyeur... up to you.


ATS allows you to have your finger on the pulse of society, maybe the fringe of society but society all the same and that in itself is invaluable.

It's fascinating for a people watcher like me.... people are just amazing.

I often wish that people could speak much more freely on here and without the restrictions and limitations that the owners place on users, but at the same time I am also glad that people can discuss topics without resorting to vulgarities and offensive language.

So I guess I'm in favour of ATS' rules.


All in all ATS is a unique and diverse online community with Its fair share of loonies and bigots.... much like any place on earth I guess.

In light of the shooting and subsequent reports that the alleged killer was a member here, It doesn't surprise me that we have members such as that, in fact I'm sure that Jared Loughner is just the tip of the "ATS Crazies Iceberg" and that there are many mentally disturbed and unstable people on here.
But then when you're the number one site for conspiracies and alternative/fringe topics, you will attract any number of loons and psychos and miscreants.... when your search results often appear at the top of searches in so many topics we discuss here, it's inevitable that you will attract many of these kinds of people.

But as was shown in the case of Jared, people were not receptive.

It's up to the other members, the people who are here for news and friendship and entertainment and courteous discourse to stand up to these people... to show that intolerance and bigotry and inane ramblings of mentally unstable people, is not and will never be accepted or "the norm" here.

We are a semi-serious site whose aims should be for uncovering the truth of any story/conspiracy, whether or not we like what we find and lunatics and hoaxers and BS scam artists should not be welcomed here.

They only detract from our cause.

Originally posted by blupblup







We are a semi-serious site whose aims should be for uncovering the truth of any story/conspiracy, whether or not we like what we find and lunatics and hoaxers and BS scam artists should not be welcomed here.

No lunatics? blup, you and I would have been banned long ago it that were the case. And as far as hoaxers and BS scam artists.......well, as long as it's entertaining; I don't mind it in short doses...it's an acquired taste and best left for the lunatics to appreciate.

reply to post by intrepid


Well, you are one of the reasons I have stayed. I do not think I need to tell you how ATS has helped me to blossom and to grow in ways I never imagined possible in the fields which have been my greatest interests thoughout life.

I was a bit paranoid at first for much of the information discovered here was to me TRULY ABOVE TOP SECRET #. It was as profound as you could believe to discover people not only of like minds but that had been on the trail LONG before I arrived to join in the discussions.

I learned how to react and to respond on the internet as a whole and since this was my first social outlet of this large and varied a group, you could say I was either trained or spoiled.

Man I could go on and in many directions so I will stop for now and tell you that ATS has expanded what I thought was an open mind to ideas and concepts which even though I do not always agree with, to stellar heights above who I was when first arriving here. (Did that make sense?)

Also there was so much absolute respect for the posters, the members who are just so so smart, and for me to soar with the eagles means not to wallow with the turkeys and other forums I have visited seem stuck in one way or another, this truly is an eco friendly environment and the wave of future connectivity on the www.