Its sad that people who supposedly care about your country resourt to this type of behaviour. I can't believe or put trust in anyone who doesn't
show respect for people or myself. I feel like I should say I did at one point care and try to educate myself on the 9/11 info and ideas but after
countless attacks and the treatment of others I respect I couldn't care anymore. Thanks Skeptic for trying to reel in the problem people and I wish
you the best of luck and a thick skin.
[edit on 22/08/06 by Canada_EH]
Announcement: Civility & Decorum are Expected, page 1
privacy
Topic started on 14-6-2007 @ 08:40 AM by SkepticOverlord
Recent activities within the "9/11 Conspiracies" forum have been the catalyst for an increasing trend of tonality and civility issues across many
portions of AboveTopSecret.com.
For those who are unaware (or don't care), the entire field of "9/11 conspiracies" is undergoing troubling turmoil as "9/11 Truth" groups have devolved into dozens of dissociated "factions" each with their own belief system. These factions are embroiled in an escalating war of incendiary rhetoric, increasingly preposterous theories, and contemptuous accusations in a disastrous competition for attention. The disappointing result is the increasingly diminished credibility for all "9/11 conspiracy" speculation. ATS will have no part of this counterproductive nonsense, and we have had to ban those who seek to involve us.
But these issues of uncivil discussion and discourteous responses by those who disagree with 9/11 conspiracies or 9/11 conspiracy skeptics has been an escalating problem in the 9/11 Conspiracies forum for some time. And we've had our share of similar issues in the Aliens and UFO forum. However, lately, the acidic style of the "9/11 Topic Activists" has infected several other areas of ATS like a malicious virus. This must stop.
Other discussion board environment claim to thrive on a rowdy environment of a juvenile free-for-all, and those with experience in such environments seem unable to understand our desire for cordial dialogue. Too bad. Since instituting such requirements, we've sky-rocketed in popularity to become one of the Internet's top-20 most-trafficked discussion boards (with peaks in the top-10). Clearly this strategy works, and more than any single topic, we feel this is the most important aspect of serving our current and future members.
Manners Are Required, Not Requested
We anticipate our members are here because of what ATS stands for and what makes us different. We stand firm on an aspirational ideal of supporting the free expression of nearly anything within the simple confines of polite decorum.
(1) We ATS members need to embrace and welcome those with highly speculative theories that may be based on little more than guesses. These are the ideas that help maintain the upper limits of what may be.
(2) We ATS members need to support the investigation of fantastic ideas based on evidentiary observations across the entire spectrum of our topics. These are the discussions that zero-in on what is likely to be.
(3) We ATS members need to encourage and welcome critical and skeptical questions that force us to look closely at our ideas and evidence. This is the process by which truth is discovered and we agree upon what is.
We ATS members need to realize all of three aspects of discussion are important to our motto of "Deny Ignorance." If you believe your theory, idea, or skepticism is critical to the discussion, than you owe it to yourself and the topic to present your ideas with the inherent credibility of deferential collaboration.
If you cannot participate under these amazingly simple guidelines, then we must assume you are more interested in the entertainment value of disruption and appropriate action will be taken. Simple.
We apologize that this reminded of our core ideology is required. Expect that this is a wake-up call that a renewed enforcement of civility will start now.
Thank you.
For those who are unaware (or don't care), the entire field of "9/11 conspiracies" is undergoing troubling turmoil as "9/11 Truth" groups have devolved into dozens of dissociated "factions" each with their own belief system. These factions are embroiled in an escalating war of incendiary rhetoric, increasingly preposterous theories, and contemptuous accusations in a disastrous competition for attention. The disappointing result is the increasingly diminished credibility for all "9/11 conspiracy" speculation. ATS will have no part of this counterproductive nonsense, and we have had to ban those who seek to involve us.
But these issues of uncivil discussion and discourteous responses by those who disagree with 9/11 conspiracies or 9/11 conspiracy skeptics has been an escalating problem in the 9/11 Conspiracies forum for some time. And we've had our share of similar issues in the Aliens and UFO forum. However, lately, the acidic style of the "9/11 Topic Activists" has infected several other areas of ATS like a malicious virus. This must stop.
Other discussion board environment claim to thrive on a rowdy environment of a juvenile free-for-all, and those with experience in such environments seem unable to understand our desire for cordial dialogue. Too bad. Since instituting such requirements, we've sky-rocketed in popularity to become one of the Internet's top-20 most-trafficked discussion boards (with peaks in the top-10). Clearly this strategy works, and more than any single topic, we feel this is the most important aspect of serving our current and future members.
Manners Are Required, Not Requested
We anticipate our members are here because of what ATS stands for and what makes us different. We stand firm on an aspirational ideal of supporting the free expression of nearly anything within the simple confines of polite decorum.
(1) We ATS members need to embrace and welcome those with highly speculative theories that may be based on little more than guesses. These are the ideas that help maintain the upper limits of what may be.
(2) We ATS members need to support the investigation of fantastic ideas based on evidentiary observations across the entire spectrum of our topics. These are the discussions that zero-in on what is likely to be.
(3) We ATS members need to encourage and welcome critical and skeptical questions that force us to look closely at our ideas and evidence. This is the process by which truth is discovered and we agree upon what is.
We ATS members need to realize all of three aspects of discussion are important to our motto of "Deny Ignorance." If you believe your theory, idea, or skepticism is critical to the discussion, than you owe it to yourself and the topic to present your ideas with the inherent credibility of deferential collaboration.
If you cannot participate under these amazingly simple guidelines, then we must assume you are more interested in the entertainment value of disruption and appropriate action will be taken. Simple.
We apologize that this reminded of our core ideology is required. Expect that this is a wake-up call that a renewed enforcement of civility will start now.
Thank you.
reply posted on 14-6-2007 @ 10:39 AM by Majic
"Free Speech" And Why This Is Important
The issue of "free speech" comes up time and again on ATS, and invariably in the context of a gross misunderstanding of what ATS is.
Usually "free speech" is cited as an excuse for violating the AboveTopSecret.com Terms And Conditions Of Use -- fruitlessly, I might add.
ATS is not a free-fire zone or a mud pit. It is a carefully moderated discussion forum where all opinions are welcome provided they are expressed in accordance with the house rules.
These are the house rules.
To the extent members respect the rights of other members to express themselves and keep their promises to honor the house rules, they can post pretty much anything they want.
On the other hand, asserting "free speech" while trampling on the rights of others to express themselves isn't freedom, it's a selfish lie, a sham and a fast track for the door.
The bottom line: we're not falling for it and we're doing something about it right here, right now.
As always, I think it's important to point out that ultimatums like these (and I hate ultimatums) are irrelevant to the vast majority of our members who "get it" and enjoy the many benefits of being able to candidly express their opinions here every day.
For you, this is just another roadside attraction on the Information Superhighway.
For those who insist on trying to shut down intelligent discussion with blatant troll tactics -- and you know who you are -- it's the end of the road.
The issue of "free speech" comes up time and again on ATS, and invariably in the context of a gross misunderstanding of what ATS is.
Usually "free speech" is cited as an excuse for violating the AboveTopSecret.com Terms And Conditions Of Use -- fruitlessly, I might add.
ATS is not a free-fire zone or a mud pit. It is a carefully moderated discussion forum where all opinions are welcome provided they are expressed in accordance with the house rules.
These are the house rules.
To the extent members respect the rights of other members to express themselves and keep their promises to honor the house rules, they can post pretty much anything they want.
On the other hand, asserting "free speech" while trampling on the rights of others to express themselves isn't freedom, it's a selfish lie, a sham and a fast track for the door.
The bottom line: we're not falling for it and we're doing something about it right here, right now.
As always, I think it's important to point out that ultimatums like these (and I hate ultimatums) are irrelevant to the vast majority of our members who "get it" and enjoy the many benefits of being able to candidly express their opinions here every day.
For you, this is just another roadside attraction on the Information Superhighway.
For those who insist on trying to shut down intelligent discussion with blatant troll tactics -- and you know who you are -- it's the end of the road.
