What draws us here? What is the quintessential essence of ATS?

I love this site. I've been a lurker for a good while, and I partially know my own reasons for being here. Some mixture between paranoid distrust of any and all authority, and the belief that Watergate, Abu Ghraib, and etcetera are the tip of the iceberg.

The pursuit of truth. Or perhaps the unconscious motivation that drives people to rubberneck at car accidents. To be perfectly honest though, I shy away from the lunatic fringe, though I know they're out there. Honestly though, there are less of them, I believe, than the reasonable "conspiracy theorists".

We're not all crazy. Just because you're paranoid doesn't mean they're not up to anything. But that's not the only motivation to be here, I'm sure.

All the time we talk about conspiracy, about how politicians are puppets and the animals, trees, water and animals are being polluted and defiled by the corporate machine.

But can we ponder the nature of why we discuss those things? My reasoning is that it's better to discuss them than leave the subject unspoken, a lie of omission. That smog, Johnny? It's cumulonimbus. That huge triangular black diamond blotting out the stars you saw at 3 A.M.? The Government burnt down the Waco compound, they set fire to Dorner's cabin, and they told us that it was those under siege who decided to start the fire. I found out in investigation that CS gas grenades cause fires all the time. They get real hot.

Politics, Republicans, and Democrats, allowed themselves to be bought and sold a hundred dozen times, and I'M irrational when I don't believe the party line?

Can't talk about it to your family, they'd call you crazy. That's why I come here. To discuss the things that others would call me a lunatic for discussing.

What it is it that embodies us, not just as ATS goers, but conspiracy theorists? Do you consider yourself to be a "conspiracy theorist"? I find that word to be loaded language, really.


Why are we here?

reply to post by Grifter42


I just come for the free coffee and donuts.
That's all I got....

reply to post by Grifter42


Words. 2nd line.

As a conspiracy theorist myself (regardless if that title comes with a stigma), it is difficult to find enough people in my local area who think and understand things the way I do. People around me are willing to listen and maybe even consider what is being proffered but most will glaze over or simply let it go in one ear and out the other.

ATS brings likeminded people together. Of course there is opposition but that is what makes this place a little healthier than if it was a total conspiracy bonanza. As much as I like discussing things that go bump in the night and spirits that may be out to get us, or the evil gubberment and it's militay industrial complex, in the end it is healthy to get a dose of other points of view to keep us grounded and sane.

That is what has kept me here for just under a decade.

reply to post by littled16


Aw come on! You mean to tell me there's free coffee and I didn't know about it?

OP, we all come here to give and to take, to learn and sometimes to teach, to share, commiserate, and laugh and cry. It's fun because it's whatever you want it to be for you at any particular moment.

But right now SO has put me to work vacuuming his space on the internet. Now please lift your feet.

reply to post by aboutface


You should be happy to do it. At least he doesn't make you wear the skimpy maid outfit. He's made a few people wear it while they clean up the mess they made of the site (not me thank god, I always clean up after myself).

reply to post by Grifter42


Personally speaking, I come here because this is the only place, on the web or otherwise, where I can discuss the things that matter to me, where I can match wits with people who are, if not on my level in terms of opinion, at least capable of forming one somehow, which is better than I can expect from anyone where I live.

I come here because I crave knowledge, and people here have vast stores of it, assuming one knows how to cut through the BS and the rambling pseudo hippy garbage posts, and get to the meat of the issues, it's a great resource. My mind used to become idle before I joined here, because nothing in my immediate surroundings was particularly mentally challenging. Since joining, I have felt my mind become sharper, my detail recall improved, my use of English language has gained new depths, and my ability to reason has increased.

I have both the subject matter covered by the site, and it's membership to thank for that, and I will appreciate that until the day I die.

reply to post by Grifter42


I visit ATS because it's one of the few places on the internet where people use words like, "quintessential".

Well I'm not too sure about the rest of the community on their reasons why they come here, but I'll tell you mine.

I come here to discuss the fringe side of society. Discussing with the denizens of this site on issues most people in the everyday work environment would roll their eyes at, I feel very much at home here.

I can talk about UFO's, Aliens, and BFGTs without the ramifications of ridicule. I can even talk about the hardcore stuff that people would deem crazy like reptilians, the Hollow earth theory, inter-dimensional beings an whatever falls into that category.

This site for me is a haven for many like minded individuals. We come from all walks of life, from doctors, college students, old people in homes, teens, mothers, fathers, truckers, military and esteemed professionals in a variety of fields with degrees.
BUT ABOVE ALL, OUR COMMON INTEREST IN THE SUBJECT'S ONE WOULD CONSIDER TABOO AND FRINGE.

That is my belief on why we come here, aside from our personal differences, we are all connected in some way because of our belief in the same subjects and interest, we are, in essence, a family. OUR ATS FAMILY.

Quite simply, as others have stated, it's the only place on the web that I can read everything I want to read. That and there is some kind of funky addiction to this place I just can't shake.

reply to post by justreleased


That was the only reason I came into this thread, lol. I knew it was going to go like it did after that word was sprung forth in the op.

OP, as long as you keep posting and bantering along ATS is not only addicting and fun it is at times one of the best places to stay abreast of current, future breaking news. One of the most important reasons ATS is such a success is that it draws from a global perspective as if we the members are already a New world Order. In other words there are times when you will be talking with members from across the globe as if they are your neighbors next door and what affects your neighbor certainly affects you. This place at times is a microcosum of the world we live in, in that sense it should be much much bigger than it is with traffic that stunts ALL other websites for alternative type views.

In many ways the ecosystem here is unique and it is the rainforest of this type of information and discussion sharing. Too many would like to cut it down for their own profit, kill the treasures that have been and have yet to be discovered. I have always had ill feelings about the threads that pop up against ATS, and have known that no forum is free from outside influence or webspooks. With that in mind it has been just as revealing from the other side of the coin...

Yes, that was quite the word to create a thread around, lol. I love thesaurus when I write, I will often write it out and then change words to sound better and convey meaning more deeply. Not that I am doing that right now, I am actually almost loopy from post surgery and should not even be posting.

reply to post by justreleased


Sorry I cant flag or star your post, it was brilliant, deep, astute, well thought out.

thesaurus.com...

I come to ATS because I can discuss things here most "normal" people think are taboo or asinine subjects.

Aliens, ghosts, magic, spirituality, culture, religion, consciousness, psychic ability, paranormal personal stories.

Oh, and I enjoy the political CT's too. Also the personal research that many members create have introduced new ideas to contemplate, have educated me in things I was previously ignorant of, and helped me pay attention to our government and politics. I hate politics, they are so boring and depressing... Or so I thought, until ATS. Now, since wading through the political ATS threads, I feel a bit more in the know when phrases like "tea-party" "neo-conservatists", and "socialist agenda/nanny state" are mentioned.

I don't subscribe to all conspiracy theories, but man, I love to contemplate them and watch the theory either hold water or die.

But what keeps me here, and doesn't send me off looking for greener pastures, is that this is the greenest pasture on the net as far as CT's are concerned. The community is a notch above the rest in regards to manners and decorum, which I personally appreciate.

CdT

reply to post by AccessDenied


between you and me, it's the color scheme. It's designed to lure you in and it triggers endorphins so you wind up needing to come back.

Well one reason was this huge awesome library we have here.



And we have dragons.



And sometimes we have really cool parties.



ATS is the best site I have ever belonged to! I love the fascinating topics and the people are amazing! What's not to love?

I come here because all the people I know in real life don't have a clue.

And besides.......







Peace,
K

For me, I guess it was an illusion. I had thought I found a cool place to hang out with likeminded people. I think it was at first, or maybe I was good at looking the other way and ignoring things, not sure which one. Seems to me that this place is not much better than say reddit. Lots of foolish partisan BS goes on here, even though I would think a bunch of conspiracy minded people would see it is nothing but a smoke and mirrors game of divide and conquer.

reply to post by kdog1982


LOL!!!!!!!!!!

Oh man, that one caught me completely off guard!

Have you seen the other boards?


LOL

For years, I thought I heard voices in my head saying "80 YES"... over and over.

It wasn't until I found this site that I realized my mistake.