What I've learned from ATS -or- Hi, I'm sorta new.

I've actually been a member for three years, lurking and scaring myself silly with thread after thread of doom and gloom and "the earth is going to blow up tomorrow zomg!" But I've never actually posted much, nor introduced myself officially.

So, hello. A little bit of personal info, though really it's irrelevant. I'm 34 and live in update New York, though I'm a native Mainer.

I thought I'd make my intro post and highlight a bit of what ATS has taught me, from the viewpoint of a sort-of outsider who has no real pull on the world.

First, if everything on ATS were true, the world should have ended about 30 times by now, thanks to solar flares and the sun superheating and comets and alien invasions and super earthquakes and volcanoes. The list goes on. So the first thing I've learned is to take everything I've read with a grain of salt. (Though, that should really be the way most information is taken.)

I've learned that there is a lot of, "Oh well we're doomed because the government is fail and there's nothing we can do about it so just sit back and wait to be steamrolled." Correct me if I'm off base here, but that's the general feeling I get from a lot of posts. Granted, I have seen some wonderful posts with wonderful solutions, but.. why are they HERE? And not everywhere?

Judging from everything I've read, nothing has really made up my mind one way or the other on a few things. Nibiru? Probably bunk, but I've seen compelling evidence for both sides. Still, I think I have to agree if something like that really were this close, we'd know. How many people have home telescopes? I've heard people argue that, "well, it's behind the sun!" but the last I checked, we do orbit AROUND the sun.. unless it's playing hide-and-seek, well.. Again, I have been known to be wrong.

UFO's? Even these, there is so much back and forth. Lots of great videos, nothing conclusive. However, the thread with the ancient coins and artwork depicting what look like flying saucers? Fascinating! I plan to research this more. Also, it's put me in touch with some amazing artists I'd never heard of, even on a purely visual basis, these paintings are incredibly beautiful. But back on subject, even if I'd read nothing of UFOlogy, it is inconceivable that in this great, vast universe we're the only intelligent species. The mathematics alone defy it. There's too much out there to make it possible that only ONE planet had the spark. So, that being said, while I don't know if UFOs are real or just us mucking around with new innovations in flight, I am convinced there is other life out there.

The origins of man? Which, kind of ties into the above according to many threads I've heard. Could be alien! Who knows. However, see below.

God? While I don't know what IS out there, I believe something is, which puts me somewhere around agnostic. I've had too many 'coincidences' for me to think there's nothing beyond. I'm not very spiritual, I don't go to church because frankly, I believe church is a giant crock, especially the Catholic church. *cringes, waits for the browbeating.* If you've ever seen the movie Stigmata, that's about what I believe. After I saw that is when I realized what is probably the truth, or close to it. You ARE your church, it's up to you to live your life in a manner befitting whatever-is-out-there. I believe in being a good person, I believe you don't need church or -organized- religion. I hope like crazy I'm not going to hell, and death still scares the bejesus out of me (pardon the pun.)

Obama? OBL? Two hot topics lately. I have a small group of friends I chat with daily in a Skype chat group and when they got excited about OBL, and Obama 'proving' his BC, my first reaction to both was, "BS." I don't believe either is as it's being reported, however the WHY is completely unknown to me. Though I was highly amused by the Obama IS OBL stuff I saw floating around for a while. Could be!

I've learned that even ATSers fall into the sort of frenzy you see on other forums. I was reading some Paranormal threads last night and pretty upset over all the people frothing at the mouth and screaming "HOAX" despite the number of posts that quite decidedly proved otherwise. What's the point? The poor OP in one post in particular was bombarded with doubt and demands for more and more despite everything he'd given. Why? I know the point of ATS is to analyze and decide what is truth and what isn't but.. my gosh.. That sort of reaction was not helpful. Demanding email addresses and email exchange? That just smacked of I don't even know what. At any rate..

That's what I have I think. My blood sugar is dropping and I am losing focus, so I'll end this here. Hopefully I'll have something more constructive to add to ongoing threads. Sadly, I'm not really an expert in anything beyond my own gut feelings. Though at some point I would like to start a thread about the dreams I've been having..

Nice meeting you all!

Hi duckyfresh welcome!

reply to post by Naptown317


Hello and good that you jumped on board/posted.

I love Maine. My family if from N.B Canada and I vacation on Campobello Island frequently (have you ever been to C.I?). Of course, Update NY is nice also.

I have to tell you that I read what you wrote and I am impressed. You'll do fine here.

Take care and see you around.

anon72

(I got to give you your first flag!!).

Thank you so much! And yay, flag!

I have been to Campobello once, a loooong time ago for a school trip. It's beautiful out there! I used to know some trivia about a past President who stayed there but the details are hazy. Roosevelt?

Also, thank you for your welcome Naptown!