Whats happened to ATS?

Oh really?

ATS is still the same...

reply to post by Hefficide


Back in 09 the quality of threads and information was extremely high. Members would post threads that would be so detailed it could be converted to text-books. Skeptics argued their points, and things remained civil even during a disagreement and last but not least, threads stayed ON TOPIC!

I agree with the mod that said the honeymoon is over and we're now married, lol, funny but accurate analogy. ATS at first is addicting because of how much knowledge is on these boards, but over time, after you've read through most of it, you just have that casual "mehhh" relationship with ATS. I still check the board everyday, but the amount of nonsense that some of the newer members post (no offense), makes it extremely difficult to use ATS in the way it was intended. The amount of duplicate threads is annoying and it clutters the new topic page depriving potential breaking news from being shared within the community.

Bottom line is I guess I'll always love my "wife", but every once in a while it's healthy to be open and honest about your needs as a man so with that said......

Hey baby.... I need some lovin...

S&F OP and mod I agree with both of you

reply to post by MadDogtheHunter
I posted a thread the other day and was hit with all kinds insults that I was just making up something to get attention. Of course it was on a subject that none if any have discussed in that some UFOs are Spirits, in times of great disaster. I believe this and found a few others did also but the rebutals one right after another with BS and "Faces", and people do steer away from conflict. There were probably people that read it that thought the way I did, but didn't want to get into a conflict. They seem to not even care what the thread is about, but just to knock it down. I have had members that posted a new topic the same time I did, come on and totaly knock mine in the teeth so theirs would get more flags. ATS has gotten Big... not the little site where everyone knew everyone. It's the Big City with Big City Players. [I have read it for years and just joined and really wish I hadn't, I enjoyed it a lot more just reading it]

reply to post by MarkofCain
See all I have to do is post on your thread to shut it down. I really notice at the threads I comment on are never commented on again. I am so sorry.

I thought this site was for discussing ideas around conspiracies...not some "old boys club" that has decided beyond a reasonable doubt that only THEIR ideas concerning conspiracies matter. I have heard from a couple of you that claim to love the "old ways". You do not contribute any more or any less than I do to a thread. I start a thread with my opinion and how I can understand how one person would think a certain way...and some idiot comes along and says, "FAIL". How does that contribute to an INTELLIGENT conversation in any way!??!?

So please, before you get down from your cross, take a look in the mirror. We are hear to DISCUSS conspiracy theories..not get down on all fours in front of you.

reply to post by superman2012


Hmmmm...if that was directed at me for my OP, then perhaps you misread/misunderstood my OP, and you made a great representation of EXACTLY what I was talking about.

And if that reply wasn't aimed at my OP, then you need to specify who you're replying to.

Originally posted by MadDogtheHunter


If ATS is truly changed, then perhaps the slogan "Deny Ignorance" needs to change too.

I was just thinking about this earlier today.

Maybe change it to TRY to deny ignorance. Or wade THROUGH ignorance to find nuggets of useful truth if you're lucky.

It's just the nature of the internet. You can't have a free-for-all and expect the cream to always rise to the top. I think without really having some heavy-handed moderation it will only get worse. And ATS relies on ad dollars, so the more users, the more ads, right? So it's not in the Admin's interest to limit users if their crazy, senseless, paranoia threads attract hundreds and even thousands of views. Just look at that thread from earlier today that was so popular claiming the government of japan was shutting down the internet because they were conserving bandwidth by shutting down access to entertainment sites. That snippin thing got HUNDREDS of stars and flags. (Oh, and i've found you should NEVER complain about ads)

I like ATS because there is some neat info, and if I am patient, I can wade through the stupid and learn some new things. But it does seem to be getting worse and worse. Which, if you think about it would be a great conspiracy theory, because those "PTB" could EASILY infiltrate a site like this with a bunch of bots that sound like 15 year old boys who deny the color of the sky and call you a 'disinfo' if you try and bring reason or science into it.

You don't have to CENSOR the news, just drown it out with nonsense. Non-sen-er it. if you will.

Originally posted by MarkofCain
Oh really?

ATS is still the same...

Thats not even worth arguing....but I will any way....

ATS is NOT the same as it was in 2008. And if you believe it is, then you haven't been reading much here.

Originally posted by MadDogtheHunter
There used to be a time, when ATS was devoted to "real" conspiracy theory and the likes. When I joined in 2008, ATS was "the" site for learning, researching and sharing information that MSM and the Gov't's don't want us to know about.

Any more, it seems people are posting about zombies, vampires, werewolves, and all things fictional. This is not a Sci-Fi fan site. When did ATS turn in to this? What happened to the reasons ATS became the top site for conspiracy theories?

Instead, we have threads making claims with absolutely no sources, or with sources proven to be bogus or just plain fantasy posts. And for the most part, the Mod staff allows all this!

I miss the ATS of yesterday. And I have this putrid gut feeling, that we will never see ATS as it once was.

edit on 3/18/2011 by MadDogtheHunter because: deleted the too many "the"s

I understand what you are saying. The bottom line, however, is that the ideas on ATS are very interesting. They also can be controversial and arouse skepticism. ATS makes no bones about having a forum for these kinds of topics. In an age and period where the world seems a little more weird than it did yesterday (getting weirder by the minute), people want to say something.

Over just the past few years this site has exploded. The internet should be for everybody. With so many new members, the information must be filtered by the fellow readers. If it is nasty, irrelevant, or offensive, the Mods will deal with it. Otherwise, it just takes longer to sift through the information. There are sites out there that need contributions just to stay on the internet because they have little or no advertising. They have writing that may seem boring or just be over the heads of an average reader.

Don't get me wrong. I feel your pain but it is more frustration for me than a rant. Some threads lately have really been WAAAAAAAAY over the top. Just sigh and go on, brother. It is all interesting, even if all you do is get some insight on what people think and feel about certain things. Just remember this... I know that even if I visit this site everyday, there is no way I can really make a difference in this crazy world until I push my laptop to the side and get out and interact with it. Sure, there are corrupted people at the top and they have done their best to screw it up for the rest of us.

We cannot afford to build individual walls that go so high in paranoia we can see absolutely nothing more than the prisons which we have created for ourselves... which may be what the oligarchs at the top of the human food chain have had in mind all along. What I believe to be more feasible are individual walls between people, as link >>>Robert Frost might put it.

Peace

reply to post by phishyblankwaters


I JUST STARTED COMING TO THIS SITE AND I AM NOT SURE WHAT THIS SITE IS. WHAT TYPE OF FIRST IMPRESSION IS THAT.? WHAT WOULD BE INTERESTING HERE WOULD BE A WORMHOLE IN THE SITE WHERE THE PURISTS COULD GO. A PLACE WHERE THE ABSOLUTE SERIOUS AND MIND-STABLE COULD COMMISERATE. A HOLE INSIDE A HOLE , WITH ONLY ONE WAY OF GETTING THERE. THAT WAY THE MINDLESS MASSES COULD CONTINUE TO POST, AS ITS NOT GOOD TO ELIMINATE EVEN A POSSIBILITY OF FACT. WE COULD LOOK OUT FROM OUR SECRET BUBBLE AND VIEW BUT NO ONE ELSE COULD LOOK IN. THE KEY TO ENTER AND THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THAT KEY WOULD NEED TO BE CREATED, YET ITS SEEMS TO ME AN INTRIGUING IDEA. WHAT ABOUT THAT MODS ? A WAY TO BRING US BACK TO THE PAST THAT WAS THE ORIGINAL DRAW OF THIS SITE .

reply to post by phishyblankwaters


I JUST STARTED COMING TO THIS SITE AND I AM NOT SURE WHAT THIS SITE IS. WHAT TYPE OF FIRST IMPRESSION IS THAT.? WHAT WOULD BE INTERESTING HERE WOULD BE A WORMHOLE IN THE SITE WHERE THE PURISTS COULD GO. A PLACE WHERE THE ABSOLUTE SERIOUS AND MIND-STABLE COULD COMMISERATE. A HOLE INSIDE A HOLE , WITH ONLY ONE WAY OF GETTING THERE. THAT WAY THE MINDLESS MASSES COULD CONTINUE TO POST, AS ITS NOT GOOD TO ELIMINATE EVEN A POSSIBILITY OF FACT. WE COULD LOOK OUT FROM OUR SECRET BUBBLE AND VIEW BUT NO ONE ELSE COULD LOOK IN. THE KEY TO ENTER AND THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THAT KEY WOULD NEED TO BE CREATED, YET ITS SEEMS TO ME AN INTRIGUING IDEA. WHAT ABOUT THAT MODS ? A WAY TO BRING US BACK TO THE PAST THAT WAS THE ORIGINAL DRAW OF THIS SITE .

reply to post by CUPOFGOLD
If you find this Wormhole let me know. First you are typing in all caps. So do because I am dyslexic and I can spend an hour posting something when I can't use all caps. Well, Members hit the fan over that but then it is quite alright to say someone is full of BS and put these dumb faces all over..... discrimination against the handi cap.



NOW JUST HOW INTELEIGENT IS THAT.

Originally posted by coolottie
Well, Members hit the fan over that but then it is quite alright to say someone is full of BS and put these dumb faces all over..... discrimination against the handi cap.

NOW JUST HOW INTELEIGENT IS THAT.

Good point.

I hate those stupid things when used more than sparingly.

People were harping on the same things and making threads about how "ATS is going to hell!" back in 04' and 05' when I first got here. Same reasons even.

Hell, half of the people here now are just old members posting under new or different names


It's all a big cycle.....but like some smart guy once said....be the change you wish to see in the world....and that means even on the internets.

Originally posted by Hefficide
I will concede that there are more trollish and nonsense threads these days - but they are proportionate to the growth in membership and to the number of relevant and good threads.

Just some food for thought.

~Heff

you made some interesting points I can't disagree with. Something I've noticed lately which I thought interesting was that a good 50% or more of the thread & posts I've enjoyed reading lately came from mods themselves...

So in a way you guys are helping - leading by example.

Here's my question though,

have you noticed a shift in attitude developing amongst members away from say 'an information turnpike' into something more like a social network?

because I have, and it seems to be being brought over from other sites with new members. I'm pretty sure I've seen posts in intro threads saying 'I came here to socialise, etc....'

any thoughts?

Peace,
-B.M

Originally posted by phishyblankwaters
reply to post by MadDogtheHunter

 

I'll tell you what happened, we've become so fed up with it that we simply can't follow the T&C in our responses, allowing THEM to win.

I ask for proof I'm a troll.
I mention anything related to science I'm a disinfo agent
I disagree with any half thought out theory, I'm closed minded.

It's sad but I for one am not letting them win. Keep posting BS, I'll keep calling it as such.

p.s.

The reptilian alien vampire werewolves who live in the giant underground base on the moon contacted me last night via the galactic federation network to inform me that yes, all of us skeptics are 100% correct.

So there you have it case closed.

edit on 18-3-2011 by phishyblankwaters because: (no reason given)

Couldn't agree with you more...10 pages on your" zombie apocalypse" weapon(???)
But WE ALL KNOW the large hadron collider is attempting to open a portal of doom!
And"We know "They" have "scalar weapons".
New thread "not withstanding" I am still not convinced haaarp causes athletes foot.
But partisan "politics" now theres a ping pong gameworth spending time on.. your team suks no; your team suks worse.
Those and The if its' "possible" however unlikely;its probably true: and you can't sayother wise": logic. Probably saved my marriage because I am less likely to spend too much time trying to do solid research on anything to contribute;As it will be blown off as being"closed minded". I'm reduced to trying to make entertaining replies while I vent.merely wasting time right now while my ftp program is going to town. Excellent rant.

It used to be that I kinda relied on ATS for the real news that MSM just couldn't produce (or wouldn't). But any more, I have to sift through the garbage harder to find a rose that doesn't smell of manure. Sure, that makes for a more involved "relationship" with ATS, but, nothing is more annoying than seeing all the "Breaking Alternative News" about the vampire that bit a troll and ended up with Lyme disease (intentional play on a fake headline).

Originally posted by BlackOps719

People were harping on the same things and making threads about how "ATS is going to hell!" back in 04' and 05' when I first got here. Same reasons even.

Hell, half of the people here now are just old members posting under new or different names

It's all a big cycle.....but like some smart guy once said....be the change you wish to see in the world....and that means even on the internets.

I wish the world would get a sense of humor( fart jokes to implemented immediately)....

reply to post by B.Morrison


I'm going to give replying a shot - but with a disclaimer: I literally have just walked in the door from the hospital. I had a migraine and, for reasons I don't understand (And I think the doctors didn't understand either ) my blood pressure spiked to about 200 over 130. They ran a few tests, stuck a ton of needles in me, shot me up with some form of narcotic pain medication and a sedative, watched me for 6 hours, and sent me home. So I am a bit out of it. Still, I am here, so why not attempt it.

Wait, what did you post???
Oh, yeah...

One of the things that makes the Internet so fascinating is that it is dynamic and ever changing. What is "hot" today, and visited by millions, can be stone cold a week from now (Think back a few years, when everybody My spaced and only the uninitiated bothered with that Facebook thing.) A website has to adapt to current trends in order to maintain viability. Social networking is a part of life in the 'Net. It is an ingrained cultural ritual now. For example, you might be surprised to know that the #1 question from new members to staff or anyone else, is "How do I make my avatar work?" One might think it would be about how to start a thread - or where to find the really juicy stuff - or how to embed - or anything to do with conspiracies. But, nope... It is "How do I post a picture so that people will "know" me?!?

There's a clue to be found in that, about what works and what attracts people.

We, 'Netziens, love chat. ATS has chat.

I imagine that, since texting and tweeting are so ingrained in the collective hive mind... a similar feature might one day work its way into ATS.

There are tons of sites that try to compete with ATS. And I have visited them all. None looks as good, to me at least, as this site does. Not to knock these sites or their members, but most of them, to me, look like hyped up versions of Yahoo answers and I simply do not find it appealing. I never stay there long (just long enough to search my own username - because I am vain and paranoid like that! )

We have eye candy and there is a very, very good reason for this. It attracts people. This has a two fold benefit. First, it pays the bills so that members are never asked to. Second, it bolsters our community.

Now this is where the naysayers are going to say "AHA!!! ATS WANTS TO ATTRACT THE TROLLS!!!! YOU'VE ADMITTED IT!!!!" I want talk about a very magical thing that happens in this process... Sure, if we attract 100 new people a statistical breakdown happens. I am guessing about these numbers but they do serve to demonstrate the concept, so in that regard they are viable...

Maybe 50% visit and leave after viewing a page or three. These people might pop back onto ATS on occasion, whenever the Google links us in their searches.

Another 15% may visit, hate it, click out and refuse to come back.

1% are returned banees, trolls, stealth marketers, etc. The kind of people that we, as a community, and I, as a mod, love to hunt down and remove from our fold. These are the people who seek to poison our well.

The remaining 34% join. So if we began with 100 people, we have 34 who join. Out of those 34 maybe 20 just plain don't get it. They might be accustomed to other boards, with looser rules, who do not like our T&C's and find joy in trying to flaunt them. Or they might simply be folks who get off on stirring the pot.

The majority of this 20 will, eventually, either shape up or they ship out.

But we still have the last 14... The 14 who join - who contribute - who rock! Plus, out of the above 20 who just don't get it.... well 4 or 5 of them are likely to figure it out. They become contributing members as well!

And this is the magic. We suffer some growing pains and put up with some crap and, when it is all said and done the payday is that we have 18 or 19 new friends and members of the ATS family. 18 or 19 people who will post quality threads, learn from us, and teach a few things to the community in return.

THESE people are why I am here. Everyone posting in this thread was most likely once part of that 18 or 19. And for that you should all feel proud! You are already, by virtue of this, empowered to recognize when new folks are going to fall into that demographic and to be part of helping those people become part of our community - so that they can help the next batch - and they the next.

Beautiful things happen in this process. In my case, I don't post nearly as much as I used to. But I do read a LOT more these days. And, in reading, my posting "persona" has grown. It's no secret around here that I was pegged in the rabid "liberal" category. These days I am much more centered. Much less argumentative and mean. These days my fewer contributions probably matter more than the ones I used to just pound out by the dozens.

So... Am I willing to put up with some shiny buttons, Facebook like posts, and BTS threads that are sometimes little more than Facebook status updates in order to find those 18 or 19 people who are going to blow my mind in the near future?

You bet your ass I am!

~Heff

reply to post by MadDogtheHunter


There are different forums for different topics.

IF you want a conspiracy you go to the general conspiracies forum, if you want personal stories that may every now and then contain something to do with vampires, you go to the gray area forum.

Your rant is absolutely ridiculous and pathetic.

Take a deep breath and listen very carefully so you may enjoy ATS once again.

Are you ready?

There are different forums for different topics.