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

I liken human society to a vast herd of animals wandering across the savanna.

Most of them get to see hair and asses. That's it.

They meander along, eating, pooping and seeing nothing but the backsides of the one in front of them.
They rarely even look up. They only know it's nighttime if they can't see a tail but can still smell it. They only know it's raining when they get wet.

The people who live on the outside of the herd see other things.
Landscape, scenery, sunrises and sunsets. They see storm clouds on the horizon and see predators in the distance.

They are the fringe elements.
Those in the middle of the herd have a distinct uneasiness with the fringe.

It's more fun, of course, but it's also dangerous.
There are those strange characters that leave the herd only to return with strange tales and weird stories. Lions, tigers and Men in Black. Oh my.
It's enough to give you nightmares.

Most people belong in the center of the herd. It's just safer there. Darwin knew what he was talking about on that particular score.

I myself, like the fringe.
So I visit here once in a while to find out what the members in the middle of the herd think is out there.

Oops, gotta go.
Hyenas everywhere!

I'm collecting stars and flags. I've almost got enough for a pony!!

and their isn't a finer resource/inspiration site for screenwriters on the entire www.

I come here for hope.

Hope that despite any deficit of thinking human beings around me... I can nevertheless find them here.

I was so repulsed by the profusion of rude angst, and disrespectful thrusts amid endless personal attacks elsewhere... this community took on an quality of serenity to it... sure we have the occasional friction of passions... but where personal dignity is respected and expected... that's where I like to be.

Besides... all the best news is here first... with robust clinical skepticism firmly in place, while maintaining respect for thoughtful dissent as fair debate currency. It works in every direction!

reply to post by Grifter42


I get to read interesting posts, articles and opinions and meet people from all over the world all the while I safely sit here picking out naval lint with nobody going 'Ewww' while I'm doing so.

ATS gives the nutters a platform to cast their lunacy upon others,they catch a few but the majority always loses.

Being a complete geek... This is the only place anyone notices me....

Just kidding

I come here because it gives me a chance to express ideas and get feedback that I could not in either my proffesional or private life.

Korg.

olaru12
I'm collecting stars and flags. I've almost got enough for a pony!!

and their isn't a finer resource/inspiration site for screenwriters on the entire www.

edit on 11-10-2013 by olaru12 because: (no reason given)

Wouldn't it be good if you could spend those stars on something for real??

Maybe a reward scheme for being a good ats'er??

Korg.

P.s. Please bring back thumbs up!!

the 'essence' is Sanity


other forums do not stack up in comparison... and that's not becuse we members are being flogged by the Mods.... there exists a envelope of manners- decorum- maturity.... here on ATS which is absent in other places

reply to post by Grifter42


I wish I could have this post moved from Board and business to at least General Chit Chat so I could give S&F to those replies that made me laugh or think. Just don't ask me to do both at the same time.

St Udio
the 'essence' is Sanity


other forums do not stack up in comparison... and that's not becuse we members are being flogged by the Mods.... there exists a envelope of manners- decorum- maturity.... here on ATS which is absent in other places

No it isn't

Just kidding sorry thank you please

Korg.

ats just regurgitates msm news
with the added spacemen, well sometimes.

i always like how ats members always demand an MSM source whilst insisting MSM is the devil.

Well for me it's mostly driven by a distinctive deep thought, highly theoretical driven by primeval urges of exploration and understanding........ The thought is:

"I'm bored, let me check if something interesting is happening"



o̶r̶ ̶w̶h̶e̶n̶ ̶I̶'̶m̶ ̶b̶u̶s̶y̶ ̶t̶a̶k̶i̶n̶g̶ ̶a̶ ̶c̶r̶*̶p̶ ̶I̶ ̶m̶i̶g̶h̶t̶ ̶w̶a̶n̶t̶ ̶t̶o̶ ̶a̶d̶d̶ ̶ "̶I̶'̶m̶ ̶b̶o̶r̶e̶d̶,̶ ̶l̶e̶t̶ ̶m̶e̶ ̶c̶h̶e̶c̶k̶ ̶i̶f̶ ̶s̶o̶m̶e̶t̶h̶i̶n̶g̶ ̶i̶n̶t̶e̶r̶e̶s̶t̶i̶n̶g̶ ̶i̶s̶ ̶h̶a̶p̶p̶e̶n̶i̶n̶g̶ ̶~̶ ̶w̶h̶i̶l̶e̶ ̶I̶'̶m̶ ̶b̶u̶s̶y̶ ̶

Sorry for being a representative of my username

reply to post by Dumbass


haha nice hidden message there

Rikku
ats just regurgitates msm news
with the added spacemen, well sometimes.

i always like how ats members always demand an MSM source whilst insisting MSM is the devil.

I love the infinite expression of humanity that exists on here - it provides endless entertainment, and also a challenge in learning how to (verbally) not rip someone's head off because I feel they are too damned stupid to be wasting oxygen on.

ATS was (and sort of still is) the place for when you dropped the preconceptions/baggage and dared to ask, what if?

crudos
ATS was (and sort of still is) the place for when you dropped the preconceptions/baggage and dared to ask, what if?

I am glad you put it that way as it has been my recent experience that there is a core group of members whom think themselves the almighty know everything and guess what... everything you say is wrong, even when you have reasoned with good sources and evidence...

Korg.

reply to post by Korg Trinity


I like ATS because if someone wants to make a topic they can. It's kind of like going to a news site where you decide a story is going to be run, instead of having only certain stories posted for you to read.

It's also less nutty than some of the other conspiracy forums. There's a good mixture of reason mixed with the ridiculous. Like someone else said as well that just being somewhere that other like minded people ar eis good

reply to post by Korg Trinity


have you seen the crap on the tv now i just come here for the banter i used to just lurk for years then jumped in to answer back .

ARE YOU NOT AMUSED ATS

AccessDenied
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.

What this member said-this is my source for news,all kinds of interesting alternative subjects too,some of the members make me laugh,there's just about no area of interest that's not catered for,its definitely increased my general knowledge on topics a South African like myself may have had very little knowledge of-and some kind of funky addiction one just can't shake:-)

Mainly trolling, some baiting.
Reassurance of sanity.
Occasional input on a topic, though I try to keep that to a minimum.