I have started to notice a trend on ATS which I assume is linked to the sites growing popularity and slow integration into the mainstream mindspace.

There is a kind of arrogance on display lately which is increasingly becoming an apparent norm.

As a group of beings, man has achieved some amazing things. The human mind is capable of near limitless magic. Of this I have no doubt.

We are entitled to hold whatever belief system or opinion we chose. If one wishes to ridicule then that is a choice and a path as valid as one who chooses to listen and evaluate.

No-one can force anyone to act in ways which are against their own free-will.

However, the apparent growing tendency to become trapped in one's own mindsets and to bask in the glory of possessing an intelligent mind has seemingly begun to create an untold burden on some.

Threads on ATS pertaining to spirituality, ancient cultures, mythologies and fringe topics such as channelling and spiritual evolution, are being plagued with an arrogance which is quite unbecoming and somewhat disappointing.

As I said, to ridicule others is a valid choice - I cannot judge someone for doing this. It just upsets me to see an increase of such behaviour rather than a decrease.

However I think it is important at this point-in-time for us all to take a step back. Let's really consider our knowledge-base as a collective and take stock.

We do not know everything about everything.

There are certain arenas where ALL we possess is individual opinions - which should always be respected. Yet there are MANY who, almost god-like in their approach, think that they know it all.

Please remember this - WE DO NOT.

Reality exists on MANY differing levels and we should not pretend to know everything about everything.

As I stated in a recent thread:

Some need to SEE things in order to believe them. Some need to FEEL things in order to believe them. Others need neither, for they feel they just KNOW.

Should we not at least attempt to approach debates and discussions with our respect for the unknown and unknowable well and truly in hand.

I feel it is important for the future of ATS that we at least make an honest attempt to accept others and their viewpoints more readily. I love the ATS community and hope that it continues forward in a positive light, as it's this sense of community that is its strong-point.

I hope this thread can be a catalyst for greater acceptance and humility.



It is the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it - Aristotle.


[edit on 20-3-2010 by srsen]

The approach you have used to this topic is nonoffensive and direct. I appreciate it, as you bring forth many good points.

Honesty I don't see the path undergoing much change, at least in the long run.

There are many phenomenons in this world I have never personally experienced, but I don't disbelieve others experiences because I haven't had them. I have serious concerns and doubts at times, yes. We all do.
To launch a personal attack over something I simply might not understand, would be a narrow minded and offensive action. I think this is what you are saying.

The membership who has repeatedly come accross in demeaning and disparaging ways to others, have been recently admonished by staff, and it is apparent now that actions are actively being taken to diminish this type behavior. I'm seeing evidence of this all over the boards, as I'm sure you are.

But for every "know-it-all-rude-troll" who leaves, there will be another to take his place.

Obviously poor/obnoxious personality traits cannot be changed, and they will have to be tolerated. But deliberately antagonistic and offensive behaviors do not, and the staff does seem to be more committed at this time, towards the diminution of such posts and posters.

~Your Aristotle quote is perfect!

agreed i think we are entitled to are own opinion.
dont argue over someones beliefs or theories if you think they are wrong criticize them with facts and if there wrong then they cannot deny the facts! no one knows it all but we can all learn from eachother and connect the pieces of this puzzle known as life...
but in the end you find your own truth to be self evident .so and open mind and respect of others is the only way we will ever work together.

Its all pretty subjective, but i know how you feel.

Sometimes i'll offer some academic research or my knowlege & opinions, only to be told by some random that im a closed-minded biggoted jerk who isnt worth talking to because obviously ill never listen to anyone.

And then i go, uhmm.....

Then, some people dont even offer an argument. They just state that they have an opinion and proceed to say that everything you have argued (no matter how sensible or readily covered by proffessionals) is ignorant and double-sided and stupid.

All wile im thinking my two plausible opinions (which cater to both sides of an infinitely regress-able argument) are worth more then some conjectured attack on me infered from only a small set of my beliefs.

Just got to remember that you dont care when they dont bother to try and think.

[edit on 20-3-2010 by SPACEYstranger]

Originally posted by BreakinThEwaLL
...no one knows it all but we can all learn from eachother and connect the pieces of this puzzle known as life...
but in the end you find your own truth to be self evident .so and open mind and respect of others is the only way we will ever work together.

Indeed the ONLY true way forward is as one. We are already 'one', I believe, always have been always will be.

I would know very little if not for the work of others - very few of us would!

It boils down to 2 groups, few though they may be.

Pontificators- Those here to preach. Not to learn or debate. Ie: the close minded. The religious groups come to mind. Faith vs Atheism(another faith). Dudes, we won't know, or not, until we're dead. Arguing over an unprovable is inane.

Trolls- Those that have to have fun prodding people on the internet because they can't do it without a keyboard.

I try not to personaly tear in to poster's, ...

However sometimes I can't help but comment on some people's blatant lack of common sense.

and therefore, cannot help but post less than complimentary remarks.

and it's not as if I'm being an A-hole, ... I'm just trying to wack some common sense and knowledge into the person's skull, ..... because obviously somebody didn't.

you have to admit, ... some threads are purely ridiculous, and every friend should be able to tell another friend what they think. In fact I think its worse to say nothing which will encourage more of these types of posts.

The difference at this site compared to any other point of reference is this:

When there is basically nothing KNOWN about the subject matter at hand, people are free to create their own reality based on what they subconsciously want in the world. And believe me, there are many people on these forum who WANT there to be catastrophic occurrences in their lifetime, just to justify their existence.

People don't even know that they do this to themselves, but it is more prevalent here than almost anywhere. Also, when there are so many subjects in which there are no facts established, people can be arrogant and mean-spirited, because we can't argue what we don't know.

I can tell you that there is a hollow earth, or that aliens are on the other side of the moon. And I could actually convince you that this is gospel just because you never heard of such a theory. I could be grandiose and use LOTS OF CAPS to make it seem like an exciting fringe idea, when really all I'm doing is spreading absurdities.

The choice you have is whether or not to sift through all the garbage banter to get to some of the gems on this site. I barely ever go on ATS anymore simply for that reason.

I would simply reply, "The man who knows everything, simply knows nothing."