What does ATS mean to you?

reply to post by whaaa

lololol, ok i better read this thread...

Originally posted by whaaa
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.

edit on 12-1-2011 by whaaa because: (no reason given)

LOLOL!!!


Very true my friend, very true.

Actually it is the loons that make it fun sometimes.

I was mainly meaning the hateful bigots and hoaxers and deluded morons.... not really the "my friend the alien told me" or "I am god" people.... they're fine.

But you're right, I am closer to crazy than not and I think most who come here are probably considered "different" to most people and most people that they know.

I was being too broad I guess.

I really meant the hateful, nasty crazies.... not the funny ones

I know I have posted here before, but I really love this thread. I have changed in the short time I have been in the washing machine that is ATS. I still have the same feelings as before, but some new ones have been added.

My favorite forums so far are Rant and Introductions. Rant because it is often funny, a quality I treasure, and, although sometimes umm bizarre, it is honest. Introductions because I am still new.

I have contemplated the morass that is ATS, why is it addictive, how would you tell someone about it? etc. The best description I can think of at present, and I am sure in another month it will change, but right now....if you took the movie "Pleasantville", smashed it together with the movie "Real Genius" and mixed in any movie from Bollywood, that would about be it.

I can't believe no one else has posted on this thread. At first ATS meant a sense of community, always the humor seduces me.

Now I find myself on more of an journey of learning. I have learned that I could use some improvement in the communication department. I have learned that I can feel passionately about something and still maintain some rationality.
That I can argue, I won't say debate cause that is a formal speech thing, and hold my own. I still get scared, in my family you did not speak up or argue. I have a long way to go, but I like the direction ATS is taking me. I have made some great friends and learned I have a pretty good sense of humor.

I have also learned incredible and fascinating things from all of you, your hearts and minds still amaze me daily. SLAYER69 recently posted a video about ATS on the Mood Music thread and happily I knew who most of the avatars on there were. Seeing them flash by me warmed my heart as the personality of each one of you shines through your posts. I am honored to share a place here with everyone of you.

ATS is a place to come and figure out the truth via text based combat. and so that I don't get penalized 20 points for a short post...text based combat that is at least two lines in length for every response.

Interesting, combat you say? I don't worry much about two lines, I know it is the rules, but sometimes brevity is best. imho TPTB look at patterns, and what are the points for anyway? Can't eat em.

Originally posted by Iamschist
reply to post by michaelbrux

 

Bless you little pea pickin' battle weary heart.

Found much truth have you? Did you memorize that response? It has that whole automitron feel to it. No offense.

edit on 1-4-2012 by Iamschist because: stuff

truth is only revealed through text based combat...or did you not understand?

i'll give you another chance to go back and actually read the post before you respond so you realize the actual nature of what ATS means to me.

reply to post by intrepid


Hi intrepid,
I'm just here for the stars. I like to collect them.

Huh. So why am I posting here, then?





















Ok, on a serious note and being honest and truthful...

I first joined in 01 I think. Drawn to this site for ufo stuff at first. Went through some rough years which entailed a forced medical retirement from the United States Air Force, and for awhile was a little upset and dissapointed with the world, or more to the point humanity, for many reasons. Got in some trouble being too much of a joker during a rough patch in life... and was banned from ATS , and stayed away for more than 2 years. I'm in a much happier place these days, and life is good. Bought a nice new house in one of the best neighborhoods in my hometown, and don't owe the bank anything. Retired at age 37 was a bit difficult for me, had a full time job from 15 to 37, now work part time taking care of sick kids, and collect pension-retirement, and am comfortably poor.

ATS to me is part of who I am. I know I'm a better person for the relationships and dialogue I've shared with ATSers over the years. Although there have been times when I have just had to walk away from some conversations with brick headed trolls, most of my experiences have been positive ones.

I'm here to get some laughs.
I'm here to learn things.
I'm here to share things I know to the best of mutually agreed perceptions.
I'm here to practice my debating skills, sometimes even arguing against what I believe in to help solidify someone else's beliefs without them knowing it, sometimes.
I'm here to be amused by humans who never cease to amaze me.
I'm here to feel passionate about things I believe in and put that passion into words.
I'm here to learn about social behaviors and the way people think and why.

And I am here because sometimes a Conspiracy Theory can be a Hypnotic Sorcery

I'm here because.

reply to post by michaelbrux


I perceive that is your reality. It is alien to me.. I gather you enjoy text based combat. To each his own

Oh, and I'm here because Langley pays me to be here.














(please know this post is for April Fools day)

reply to post by ILikeStars

Oh, and I'm here because Langley pays me to be here.

Now I understand!!

reply to post by Iamschist


you are participating in text based combat right now. you want to feel you've won a conversation or debate or perhaps that your point of view is valid to someone other than yourself. I can tell...i've been doing this for many years now.

you will not win. you will qive up and quit. I can tell.

i'm sorry that what ATS is to me is not what ATS is to you.

Tyranny is never attractive...even if you claim to be a peaceful person.

reply to post by intrepid



Good question.

I dare not reply candidly at the moment in a 100% full way as I'm tooooo annoyed over some recent stuff.

I'll comment on the safer aspects . . .

1. I love being able to discuss and sort through most aspects of the

A) UFO stuff
B) globalism stuff
C) various related conspiracy stuff
D) exotic technologies
E) ancient civilizations
F) Spiritual, religious, sociologies, psychologies . . .

2. I love being able to offer my professional training and experiences to ATSers asking for help.

3. I love brainstorming critical issues, challenges, prepping etc. stuff with other folks of some alertness, brightness and well-informed-ness.

4. I love the international scope of ATS on the above topics and issues

And, having said that . . . I'll slap my fingers and walk them away from ranting about what I'm annoyed about.
.
.

reply to post by michaelbrux


I am neither tyrant nor quitter. I am many things, and I have been a quitter in my past, but I learned not to be. I may choose to stop arguing if there can be no agreement, and both sides are unable or unwilling to see the others point of view, including myself in that.

Originally posted by Iamschist
reply to post by michaelbrux

 

I am neither tyrant nor quitter. I am many things, and I have been a quitter in my past, but I learned not to be. I may choose to stop arguing if there can be no agreement, and both sides are unable or unwilling to see the others point of view, including myself in that.

being a sportsman...i can participate in combat and still respect my opponent...whether I win or lose...

nevertheless...I come to ATS for text based combat;

however...when someone immediately responds criticizing my motivation...and imply's a superior manner of living...i jump immediately into a combat posture.

please explain to everyone...why what ATS means to you is more noble than what it means to them.

reply to post by michaelbrux


If I came across as critical I apologize, It was an ill designed attempt at humor and being cute. Thank you for calling me on it. I would not classify my opinion towards ATS as noble to begin with, and the concept of more noble is unknown to me. I meant no offense.

reply to post by Iamschist


no apology necessary...i enjoy the friction. but even if I enjoy the friction and my message can be delivered with a few words...if I don't want a 20 penalty, all my responses need to be more than just one line.

To me ATS is my primary source of truthful news from around the world.

My wishes for ATS:
A. Stop the useless UFO threads which are mostly out of focus street light photos.
B. Allow ATS to be a rally point for citizens of the world that have had enough abuse by big government. Allow us discuss more productive ways of fighting back for what keeps being taken away day by day, our FREEDOM.

reply to post by intrepid


I'm some what guilty of making it a battleground at times but the peace that is usually found with those I've done battle with always seems to be a lasting one. Perhaps you should sentence me to good feelings and beer again.
For say, crimes against this our beautiful community. I love the comradery of this place that I can have with people who normally neither one of us would have anything to do with the other. The truthfulness of most of our
seemingly ageless veterans and skeptics. The enthusiasm of our newer members not newbies.

The fact that I can post this video and have it mean more than any other place I could ever think to post it.



Do I need go on ? Don't think I can't. Hell I love this place and call it home. Be lost without it. I even love you Trep
in a manly sort of way of course. Can't think of anyone who hasn't given me an even break here, Got to stop or I'll get all emotional and s__t.

reply to post by intrepid

So, what does ATS mean to you? Informed info in an entertaining setting? A battle ground? I've seen this and it is frustrating because it is not only pointless but it detracts from the purpose of our community. We are(should) be seeking answers to the situations that we are faced with today. Not bickering endlessly, pointlessly. There have been times that I had to walk away because of the trite postings of "some" that have little to give to the community other than repetitious arguments. I have also been inspired by those that look at the community, find it their own and interact, not because one agrees but because there is a knowledge that we are all in this together. So please, ask yourself that question. What does this all mean to you?

ATS has been is still my favorite place to go when looking for original content and some stimulating conversation. The unique subject matter combined with so many unique personalities... is worth my time. Add to that my personal interest in many of the subjects that find rooting soil here and there is hardly a day I don't stop in.

So... ATS for me is a place to come and kind of, well, get away from (most of) the B-S you find everywhere else.

ATS is my retreat.