What happened to civility and decorum within all topics?

reply to post by Chadwickus


Oh duhhhh....I gotta learn how to read properly!!

Ad hom attacks on skeptics abound!

This is about picking a side. I thought it was about manner and decorum in general but this thread concerns only the skeptics.

Ignore my previous input, I consider myself to be a healthy paranoid-skeptic. This thead is not about me...

Peace

Originally posted by Chadwickus
reply to post by backinblack

 

Read above, he is attacking the post and the information there-in, not the poster.

You admit yourself the post is borderline, many skeptics post that way and it obviously sets the tone..
Honestly, seems like someone upset you Chad and you are airing your frustration..
T&C works well, the mods do a good job..

reply to post by operation mindcrime


Yeah it is.

I'm sick of seeing posts like "Let's see the skeptics debunk that!" and "that's just disinfo" and "why do you come here if you don't believe in it?"

I'm singling it out because skeptics are being singled out.

You don't see posts singling out and targeting believers do you? Certainly not at the rate we see believers singling out and targeting skeptics.

reply to post by Chadwickus

You don't see posts singling out and targeting believers do you? Certainly not at the rate we see believers singling out and targeting skeptics.

I notice you don't post in the 9/11 forum much Chad..
Try that for attacks by the skeptics..

Check the moon hoax thread..I stopped posting for a while because I was sick of being attacked by skeptics for nothing..
One even attacked me for saying mate..
A few actually said sorry and it was because of other posters, not me..
That was good..

There may not be reflective practise or transformational development going on here (Come on - the flags and stars just means a refresh per occasion they are used, makes the figures look better for potential advertisers - anyone remember the 'New Posts' autorefresh experiment a couple of weeks ago?) but there doesn't have to be.

This place is for the hits, it's a business and has no integrity for the search for, and sharing of, truth.

Some kid goes and gets educated here and then blows away a public representative (as they are the ebils as dictated on the boards here) and ATS tries to distance itself as if it had nothing to do with him.

You are a commodity, and your content is what people come here to read, if your content means that people stop coming (reasonable and polite insight into topics which you are versed in) then you are no longer welcome. This is not a democratic community it is a business and you are the free willing slaves who make it all possible.

Now in saying this ATS does try and produce entertainment, competitions and focus groups on occasion to bring the 'community' together - so it's not an entirely lost cause. It's just that certain members of the upper echelons don't want to hear that they aren't all that and those under them wish to retain their positions so much that they accept what they shouldn't when it comes to actions.

The sceptics who have been ejected from these virtual premises are now mocking it - something they didn't do whilst here. Understand its not the membership they are mocking, it's the entire site and what it represents.

A simple Google for some key terms will show how ATS is viewed and it's not actively pursuing anything to correct this.

I suppose it comes with being the number 1 returned search result for many topics. It can't be easy.

But it can be fairer.

-m0r

reply to post by backinblack


Ok, let's bring it back to everyone then for the sake of sanity.

skeptics, believers and all in between.

SO started a thread to draw a line in the sand.

Has anything changed?

I'm saying no.

Am I correct? Or am I incorrect?

reply to post by Chadwickus


Could it have something to do with the surge of new members coming here?? They always come in waves...

I mean, how often do you see some world event bring in a group of new members with the wildest claims and theory's and after some time, when most have lost interest, the one's that do have the ability to discuss matters in a mature fashion remain....

I always take a break with incoming waves, no use in fighting the current.

Peace

Originally posted by Chadwickus
reply to post by backinblack

 

Ok, let's bring it back to everyone then for the sake of sanity.

skeptics, believers and all in between.

SO started a thread to draw a line in the sand.

Has anything changed?

I'm saying no.

Am I correct? Or am I incorrect?

I think you are correct..
The amount of posts attacking posters instead of debating facts has increased IMO just over the last month..
Civil debating is impossible in many threads..
I've actually u2u'd many members to debate them rather than doing it in the thread..
It's much more pleasant..

Originally posted by backinblack
You used weed as an example..
I posted his FIRST post on page 1..
Are you saying the tone of his post was fine and dandy?
Could that not be the reason replies were terse??

Not an excuse for uncivilised posts but a reason..

He seems to be going after the ball and not the opponent as described here:
www.abovetopsecret.com...

Originally posted by TheBandit795
Watch the games and watch the games good. Pay especially attention when fouls are being committed. Notice why a foul is commited. Please do!!!

You will notice that when a player is called for a foul it's because he went after the opponent instead of the ball. ..
If you understand that you will make our jobs as moderators much easier...

The difference may seem subtle to some people, but there IS a difference, and it's where ATS draws the line.

It's ok to go after the ball. Just don't go after the opponent, and understand the difference. Some people have said that analogy helps.

reply to post by Chadwickus


Chadwickus, its been said a thousand times if its been said at all, the only way to rise above is to stand imperious against the tide of foolishness and bigotry, and speak your truth without becoming flustered by the ignorance and futile behaviour of those less well mannered than yourself.
And let us not beat around the bush by singling out skeptics as a target of such behaviour. Whilst it is true that some of the more out there elements of the membership bring harsh critique upon themselves by posting things like " Im an alien, theres no proof but thats my story and Im sticking to it by gum! " it is also true that the reactions to those threads are often aloof and insulting , though they use the politest of terms.
Even if nothing changes to the better in terms of civility and decorum, do not let that disuade you from your right to comment. It is paramount that the attitude some members choose to use, when instead using thier heads would be wise, does not come between yourself and your ability to function as a contributing member of the site. It is allowing these trifles to stay your tongue which will do the most damage to the overall quality of posts here on ATS, because it would allow ignorance and prattling fools take over, with barely a blow struck for decency.
My advice , if you would partake of it, is to carry on regardless of the rudeness of members who have not the benifit of your expirience and high regard for manners, and be a beacon of those qualities. Those who are capable of doing so, will appreciate it. I know I do !

I joined many years ago to debate politics and religion.....it was a complete zoo, but was fun non the less.

ATS actually moved most political discussions to above politics for a time but now its been back on the main board for a while now, and you know what.... It's still a zoo I'm not even gonna mention the 9/11 forums

ATS ebbs and flows for a time it seemed the mods were targeting conspiracy theorists, and atheists, then later it seemed they were targeting the zealots, and right wingers....its mostly a perception issue, even if your here 24/7 your going to miss the whole story.

Beside sensationalism sells, does it not?

reply to post by Arbitrageur

The difference may seem subtle to some people, but there IS a difference, and it's where ATS draws the line.
It's ok to go after the ball. Just don't go after the opponent, and understand the difference. Some people have said that analogy helps.

Oh I get you..Like this gem from the same thread..
And we wonder why some get annoyed and don't post civil replies??

I've come to notice that most "chemtrail" believers have quite a few screws loose.

But aside from a few that constantly post borderline of T&C, ATS is going through a rough patch with posters..
School holidays.?? Maybe....

reply to post by backinblack
Well like I said, that's where ATS draws the line. Once we understand that, we can then determine which side of the line the post is on.

The reason I responded to your comment regarding WW's first post, is that it generally seemed to not cross the line, though you seemed to have a problem with it, though hopefully now you understand why it's not regarded like the last example you posted.

Obviously that last example does cross the line.

I started a thread questioning why people use TPTB as something to blame all their ills on. It didn't take long for someone to show up to call me "young and naive" and essentially troll a subject that I feel is being ignored in favor of constructing a bogeyman for everything that's wrong with society.

If people have nothing constructive to say, they should do themselves a favor and go play in traffic.

Originally posted by The Sword
I started a thread questioning why people use TPTB as something to blame all their ills on. It didn't take long for someone to show up to call me "young and naive" and essentially troll a subject that I feel is being ignored in favor of constructing a bogeyman for everything that's wrong with society.

If people have nothing constructive to say, they should do themselves a favor and go play in traffic.

Yes, I'd rather debate the facts but posts like you mention do get your back up..
Hence a few off topic posts removed.

Originally posted by Chadwickus

Oh wait, something did happen, the skeptics got targeted and singled out for fighting back.

Oh you can bet on it. It's totally rife on here.
You can get called all sorts of names just because you don't subscribe 100% to some theory and try to rationalise the argument.
Sometimes I wonder if it's that there are various similar forums and at least one of them seems to positvely encourage rudeness. If people are surfing from one forum to another, their brain doesn't always make the switch.

This is a good question, I thought there was going to be some kind of crack down after SO thread. There did appear to be some kind of effort for a couple of days afterwards. No matter what the mods may tell you they are only human so I understand they can't be everywhere all the time but that is why there are quite a few mods, to keep things covered, I hope there is no bias being shown. Who knows, maybe they just threw their hands in the air and decided to ride this one out.

Originally posted by Chadwickus
reply to post by Whateva69

 

In an ideal world that is what would happen.

And look I'll admit, I'm no saint but I and most long time members who are skeptics don't go after believers like they seem to go after skeptics.

granted it's the newbs who seem to have the attitude as I can hold a conversation/argument with some of the older believers here without insults being used.

It's all like a big game of one upmanship to them or something, like their truth is better than mine...wish I could understand it.

Chadwickus, I feel you my friend..

The purpose of the site and the enormity of it now seem to be at odds.

Population Control required!!

What you say is so true. Ive gotten to the point where Ive lurked at ... lets just say less reputable sites, where the focus is just fluff for a break on the bashing and anger. Its like a much needed break from the children and I dont even have any. I came here to learn.

A reality check to those new members who need one about why we came here and that we are all people here. You should be so lucky to know the sense of community we had here and those insightful members we've lost or hardly see anymore... You are dumber and worse off for not having them around.

I miss the ATS family vibe we had last year and the year before that.

Bittersweet as it was, because it was the sad passing of some valued contributors and respected ATSers that quelled the flaming and brought the community together.

It was a sorrowful tipping point that UNITED us for a great while. And still does to those that felt it.

Enemies agreed to disagree with respect and even the trolls played nice and thought twice..

Is now a new tipping point for ATS?

We are missing so many of our valued members, their input, the outstanding skeptics, the valued scholars, the history of this site...How do we get these knowledgable people back here...

Dare I say Population control again.....
oops I just did!!

Of course i dont mean it im just being cheeky, those of you ready to flame me.

Unlike you angry munkeys Im not a hippy-critical. This site has cutting edge topics on it, embrace that and learn.youre lucky you found it

Remember - Your opinion should be actually worth reading... not just ranting...akin to seedy toilet door grafitti

I believe everyone is welcome here but DEAR GAWD i wish you negative people would learn what Honour is..for the betterment of yourselves and your existence, if you had it as a virtue you wouldnt behave like assinine angry swamp monkeys - if your aquatic swamp monkey descendants could see you now theyd cringe with embarassment at their future evolution and stay quadripedal chosing to get eaten before they leave the swamp to become bipeds...

Sorry if Ive offended any creationists...the Aquatic Swamp Monkey Theory Is just a theory ok...used here today because it builds a comical picture in this instance.. and where are we without comedy...


Have the best day
themuse

reply to post by Chadwickus


What happened to alerting the staff, via the appropriate button, and letting us deal with it instead of starting a thread about it?

Seriously Chad, you know how the system works. You also know we don't see everything and can't be everywhere at the same time.

reply to post by neformore


Exasperation?

It's also to question where the hard line on civility and decorum is at.