Short-time member ready to return to the lurker's role

Hey, ladies and gentlemen, I would just like to say I have been a longtime lurker turned into a member, but I am ready to go back into the lurker’s corner. I have enjoyed participating in some excellent threads and authoring a few of my own that highlight my experiences in the paranormal, fringe, and alternative.

I have an abundance of respect for many of the members of ATS and honestly appreciate the hard work and effort that many of you apply to your postings. I will continue to enjoy them and learn from them.

However, there is just something about getting into a discussion which potentially brings out the worst in me and I get involved in the very thing I detest most; insult contests and mud-slinging. I would say most everyone I had the privilege of discussing with has brought out the best in me. But risking the moments where I lose myself in the heat of ignorance isn’t worth it. I came here to deny ignorance—so that is what I must continue to do. I thought I would be more emotionally prepared to handle the discussions without allowing myself to get baited into futile arguments, but I have only proven otherwise. Frankly, there is a lot of immaturity and childishness on ATS, but I will not be contributing to that end of the scale any longer.

I have enjoyed actively participating in a variety of threads the past few months, but I have had my fill and I am ready to return to the observer’s role.

Sorry for wasting thread space to dramatize my announcement in this way. I know I have hardly even introduced myself, so this announcement actually means very little to ATS.

For the record, ATS is a beautiful place and this sense of communitas has helped me in a variety of ways, but I feel I am not capable of giving back through my posts. I will still participate as a silent member.

Thanks for the ride, ATS—but this is where I get off.

reply to post by NarcolepticBuddha


I totally understand as I am headed that way myself. I am starting to feel like this site is deliberately being allowed to turn into a sister site for stormfront with some soft porn ads on the side and I am above that. I have tried to ignore it, but it's creeping into every topic and every thread with no repercussions. Anyway, I don't want to turn your thread into my OP Rant so I just wanted to say, I feel ya.

reply to post by NarcolepticBuddha

That is a problem for me as well. When I first joined, I gave it up quickly and went back to observing and reading. I have however made some really great friends here after coming back. It will constantly be something which I will need to watch about myself. I wish you many blessings.

Meh this is an attention seeking thread and nothing more.If you were truly going you wouldn't feel the need to make a thread about it. I've seen these threads before and the op almost always returns.

Originally posted by skepticconwatcher
reply to post by NarcolepticBuddha

 

I totally understand as I am headed that way myself. I am starting to feel like this site is deliberately being allowed to turn into a sister site for stormfront with some soft porn ads on the side and I am above that. I have tried to ignore it, but it's creeping into every topic and every thread with no repercussions. Anyway, I don't want to turn your thread into my OP Rant so I just wanted to say, I feel ya.

edit on 29-7-2012 by skepticconwatcher because: (no reason given)

I've visted stormfront and this site is nothing like it. If you're seeing "soft porn" ads then perhaps it's your computer.I've seen nothing of the sort here.

reply to post by NarcolepticBuddha


That's too bad Narco. I wish I would have met you before you decided to go back to lurking so we could have discussed your paranormal experiences. I am a skeptic not having had any type of paranormal anything ever happen to me, but I WANT to believe, just haven't found any real evidence to support it. The whole topic fascinates me.

NarcolepticBuddha
I understand what your saying Ive been doing allot of observing and reading myself ..But i have to say Ive never seen any soft porn ads on ATS..But i wish you the best and know your lurking in the shadows and i hope you flag and star some of the well thought out threads here as a silent member...
peace,sugarcookie1

reply to post by nightstalker78


Yes it is. Very much like that. And the slut pics on the side are always on here so much so, that some pervert wrote a thread about one of them. Three different computers don't lie to me buddy.

Originally posted by skepticconwatcher
reply to post by nightstalker78

 

Yes it is. Very much like that. And the slut pics on the side are always on here so much so, that some pervert wrote a thread about one of them. Three different computers don't lie to me buddy.

A.I'm not your buddy.

B. No need for the attitude

I was telling you I DONT SEE THEM.

Sorry,but 3 computers out of the thousands that view this site every day isn't convincing.I've used a few different ones to get on here and not a one shows that.It's your computers. Scan for malware.

reply to post by nightstalker78


A Buddy
B You're the one with the "tude"
C Mind your own business

reply to post by skepticconwatcher


You're seriously telling someone to mind their own business on a message board? Me thinks you need to get a life then

reply to post by nightstalker78


Ironic--this is exactly the kind of pettiness I wish to avoid. You claimed that my thread is nothing but attention-seeking behavior, and yet you have contributed more posts than anybody...miniscule posts at that!

Yeah, I'll be coming back to take part in these childish cyber skirmishes real soon.

I still love everything ATS stands for and will continue to enjoy the site as a member. Just don't expect me to get involved in the threads. This thread illustrates the point of my OP so well--I officially have nothing more to say.

reply to post by NarcolepticBuddha


Yeah yeah. OH LOOK WHOS BACK!

Exactly who I said who would be.


ETA : If the mods were doing their job,this wouldn't even have made it past your OP.

OP. Just take a break, and try again. It takes a while to get a true feel for ATS. And it takes a while for ATS to get to know you. And honestly, you haven't been a contributing member long enough for either to have settled in. Back off, take your time, and ease into it. You'll be just fine. And remember, attack the ball, not the player.

Originally posted by skepticconwatcher
reply to post by nightstalker78

 

Yes it is. Very much like that. And the slut pics on the side are always on here so much so, that some pervert wrote a thread about one of them. Three different computers don't lie to me buddy.

I think your definition of "soft porn", and his definition are different, and that's why he says he doesn't see them.

reply to post by skepticconwatcher


All of ATSs adds are based off of your google searchs and web history. If you don't wanna see porn, delete all your cookies and search history, than stop searching and going to porn sites, you will never see another porn add.

reply to post by inverslyproportional




I don't search for that crap. Like I said it's on three different computers. Maybe I have a different definition of it than you people do but it's half dressed sluts in t-shirts. It's not actual. That's why I called it soft.

Originally posted by Klassified

Originally posted by skepticconwatcher
reply to post by nightstalker78

 

Yes it is. Very much like that. And the slut pics on the side are always on here so much so, that some pervert wrote a thread about one of them. Three different computers don't lie to me buddy.

I think your definition of "soft porn", and his definition are different, and that's why he says he doesn't see them.

I think so too.

I just realized that.