Dear MODS,
I notice you have created a new forum dedicated to 2012 and related theories.

I would now take this opportunity to once again, this time more publicly and explicitly, ask you to create a new UFO sub-forum or split the existing one into two.

I believe it would be incredibly more productive if there was a sub-forum dedicated to the study, research and serious discussion of the UFO phenomena. As it is now, everything is mixed together, the good, the bad, and sometimes the worse (hoaxes).

Shouldn’t there be a forum where posting of Youtube videos of lights in the sky, stories of abductions, alien implants, Soul Collectors and whatever, are not allowed? Were only well researched cases, substantiated theories, intelligent and intellectual discussion and sharing of information would take place?

Please MODS, I ask you to consider this very strongly for the sake of intelligent and serious discussion of this subject on ATS. Otherwise, we’ll continue to see the same videos re-posted, the same stories, the same charlatans being brought up, the same hoaxed photos and videos, and so on, with no real advances in terms of the quality of the discussion and research.

You have enforced stronger posting rules in the past (ie. 9/11 forum) and even though they are not something I personally enjoy I understand many members like to look and talk about the Youtube videos, the abduction stories and crazy theories, and therefor, enforcing those rules on the forum as it currently is, would make many members unhappy. Thus why I suggest a new sub-forum with a different set of rules.

In conclusion, I ask the MODS or the Amigos or whoever could make a decision of this nature, to strongly consider a Sub-forum for UFO Research, with a more strict set of posting rules.

I would ask the other members to speak their minds on the idea.

Thank you for your time.

A proud member,
-Daniel

I definitely agree with this one. Especially as a newcomer to the ufo world.

I would back this as well, I believe it would be a welcome addition to ATS.

I'm all for it. S&F from me.

---second line---

[edit on 8-1-2009 by md11forever]

Originally posted by easynow
there is already two other forums for speculative ufo/Alien topics.

But I guess that's danx's point isn't it? There's enough speculative topics on this subject.

I think a new forum would be a good idea

Originally posted by muzzleflash
he is insinuating that 50% of ufo threads are total bunk and garbage, and i suggest theres NO WAY TO KNOW which threads are bunk and which are gold

I’m not insinuating that 50% of ufo threads are total bunk, I’m saying that some are and the ones that aren't 90% of them have nothing to do with actual research, and this is why I’m proposing a new sub-forum.

so you would be putting things into the "silly" forum that may have actually been real or putting things in the "real" forum that may actually be silly

That’s not what I’m proposing at all. If you have read my post careful you would have noticed that I say many members enjoy the speculative threads and it’s exactly because of this that I suggest a new forum, with different rules, would be set up.

The speculative threads, Youtube videos, whatever would still be permitted just as they are now, in the ‘old’ sub-forum. Nothing would change, except for a new sub-forum that would deal with the topic from a more research oriented perspective

also, the current system of trashing junk threads is working out just fine, and labeling known hoaxes as "HOAX"
the current system works excellant in the UFO forum, and we shouldnt toss out possible good threads just because you want "good threads" on a platter for you

This is not about different or new ways to filter or classify threads, this is about purpose.

I’m all for the Youtube videos, and people’s abductions stories and theories, but how does that exactly advance the research of this field?

What I’m proposing is that we create a separate forum strictly with research and serious and scientific study of the subject in mind.

Oh yeah I have been into this ever since I started seeing them when I was a kid. I agree, some of us take this subject very seriously.

I disagree with splitting the forum.

Here's the two steps that I use to decide if a thread is bunk:
Step 1: Read the title.
Step 2: Read the first five posts of that thread.

Hint, if Step 1 fails the quality control test, then there's no need for me to proceed to Step 2. It saves me time that way.

If you need someone to decide and categorise if a thread is bunk FOR you, then you might as well watch TV or read a newspaper.

What you are asking for is the impossible.

ATS is a paranoid "new-age" site where they like to mix up disinformation with scientific theory in its search for the "truth".

I would love to intelligently discuss UFO' without linking Aliens and hocus pocus, but lets face it ATS doesn't because its not in their interest. Far better they let the/encourage wackos discuss alien implants - rather than sensibly discuss WTF Ufos really are. As long as theres a big grey area , The people at ATS and other Charltans can still make money with crackpot unfounded theorys. Yeah pretty scathing But I actually Love ATS because of this, Freedom of speech is more important than all the Debunkers patting each other on the back. If you asked the Skeptics, Although they detest the more silly posts, they just give more credence to scientific deduction and reasoning.

+ you also have the problem over what constitutes a quality post - that is in the eye of the writer/reader and not all will agree.