I used the terms "mysticism" and "realpolitik" in the thread title because I don't really know what else to call them, and thread title space is limited. But for our purposes, I would define the "mysticism" side as all the religious, UFO, and paranormal threads, while the "realpolitk" side has to do with the more political/economic aspects of life. Although sometimes they can overlap in a way, I consider them the "yin and yang" of ATS.

This is probably my favorite thing about this board. One minute I can be reading about the mystery cults of ancient Sumeria; the next second with a single click I can read about the trials and travails of modern Mesopotamia vis-a-vis the Iraq war, or oil issues. I can slip from 2012-based speculations or philosophical threads about the afterlife to hardheaded analysis of the current economic meltdown.

I love the ability to have both in a single forum because both sides interest me. Moreover, they balance each other out. When I start feeling a little too "flakey" with some of the more paranormal or metaphysical threads, I can start reading hard-edged news about deficits and financial collapse. When that all becomes a bit much to take, I can flip over to something about the inner architecture of the Great Pyramid of Giza or whatever. I love the balance.

Anyone else feel the same way? I was trying to think what exactly it was about this board that was so attractive to me and I came up with that as my own personal answer. I was wondering how others felt about the issue. Probably some people gravitate more towards one side than the other, but personally it is the availability of both that keeps me coming back for more.

I totally agree with you! This is the best website for me nowadays. It has good qualified information and a great diversity of perspectives. I'm the kind of person that gets tired of things fast, so ATS is just great for me, I can keep skipping from one side of the universe to the other in a matter of seconds!

Well I certainly love the black and gray background real spooky and addictive for posting.

I also like arguing, for my point of view. Although backlash occurs phenomenally in great measures .

I find news on here, that the MSM, would straight lie to me, I find FreeThinkers people who have seen the world, and abolished all Bias' and created a alternative to look at.

I can disagree with someone yet silently, wonder what it is like to place myself in their shoes and try to see what they see.

Quite a remarkable site, i've looked for ones similar, this site, is not equalled.

ATS has been my goto site for news ever sense I started reading about things weeks before I would see them covered on cable news(years ago). ATS is full of good info and great debates regarding lots of different topics, from ancient history, current day politics, paranormal activity, aliens, and the fabled hollow earth. ATS has it all.

I come here because I can contribute my opinion and present facts for any subject whenever i want without being criticized.

For example, if I try to argue against someone at my university that I believe 9/11 was the result of a false flag attack or that Obama is another crook, then i sure as heck will get reprimanded by professors and ridiculed by several classmates.

If i feel like debating why I dislike christianity and turned into an atheist I would probably be punched in the face by one of the many extremists that can be found in the streets.

Here in ATS I can have healthy debates, conversations, get all sides of different issues, learn new things from all sorts of topics ranging from politics to new age, examine conspiracies, etc. without the need to worry about violent backslashes that are sure to occur should these issues be discussed in real life.

As most of you believe I'm sure, the internet really IS the last place were our freedom of speech remains untouched. ATS is probably the best site were all sorts of people with different beliefs come together to examine all sorts of topics.

Originally posted by newworld

For example, if I try to argue against someone at my university that I believe 9/11 was the result of a false flag attack or that Obama is another crook, then i sure as heck will get reprimanded by professors and ridiculed by several classmates.

That's sad as hell, son.

Originally posted by silent thunder

Originally posted by newworld

For example, if I try to argue against someone at my university that I believe 9/11 was the result of a false flag attack or that Obama is another crook, then i sure as heck will get reprimanded by professors and ridiculed by several classmates.

That's sad as hell, son.

Oh yeah, really sad. (please don't call me son, it sounds.. patronizing)

but that is how it is around the place i live nowadays. most people will ridicule you for anything. In this board, however, I can have logical discussions with most people in here.



[edit on 14-8-2009 by newworld]

[edit on 14-8-2009 by newworld]

If we want to understand the nature of reality and the grand conspiracy then both these subjects must be attented. I find it so hard to understand how some people can get as far as recogising the real world conspiracy at large ( the one tha has existed for hundreds of years) but cannot go past that and think astral beings etc are nonsense, levels of programming I guess. I like the terminology you used!