posted on Aug, 20 2012 @ 04:13 PM
This is my first post in months, and I completely agree on everything you say Op.
ATS became infected with the same shallow and lighthearted mindset that corrodes free thought and diversity.
One liners, out of topic comments, poop slinging trolls, truthers, proofers, facebookers and apathy lovers became the majority of content
providers.
Many of the "old school" posters just stopped posting or simply moved on, everything changes, things must be renovated or simply replaced, but the
replacements have not been up to par.
New ideas , alternative discussions, and fringe topics have to be discussed freely, without judgmental attitudes or know it all tactics, its in
diversity where true knowledge blooms, sure everyone is entitled to their opinion, but most confuse personal beliefs as facts.
ATS was one of the last bastions of independent thought, it became too dangerous to the system, so it was simply fed to the masses that want to
standardize everything, and dont want to be bothered out of their comfort zones.
Sure its a business, and one of the dangers of becoming too popular is exactly this, in order to appeal to greater audiences, the odd loose ends must
be pruned and sanitized.
I learned a lot about the complex reality of our existence in ATS, I got in touch with people that broadened my horizons, I was exposed to topics that
defied my logic understanding of the world, for that I am grateful, but I am also deeply saddened at the same time, this could have been something
else, and still can, but not in the same way.
Truth will always prevail, but for it to thrive and develop, much has to be lost along the way.
One day maybe, we will, be able to freely discuss, just as we did before, the mysteries of the world, taking everyone's opinions as insightful
additions instead of personal offenses.
we can dream...