ATS - what happened to you?

I joined here in 2007, was lurking for many years before that. This place used to be amazing, a hub of intellectual discussion and it often contained some fun theories and conversations from a wide variety of people.

Now it just seems it's a pro-NRA gun-waving, militant and slightly rightwing hell-hole.

Not everyone who visits this forum is American. Not everyone wants to listen to your insane army babble and flag worshipping crap that has suddenly become the norm on here. We don't want to listen to pre-school pseudo-racist, chest thumping delusions and nasty spiteful attacks on non-American members.

Seriously, some of you people are so paranoid, xenophobic and idiotic it REALLY tars the conspiracy scene. If someone should visit this site for the first time, they're less likely to discover a conversation about say aliens or JFK or outer space, but instead they'll be greeted by racist, nasty, paranoid rubbish that has become the norm on here.

Every god damn conversation seems to consist of 'well if they were armed' or 'you Brits should arm yourself' or 'we should give guns to children'.

Do you not realise how MENTAL you all sound.

ATS , what happened to you? Since when did this turn into a crackpot NRA gun-waving crap-fest? Grow up!

reply to post by mr-lizard


Boy oh boy.

Get ready to be a called a Wussy, Coward, Socialist, limp wristed Freedom Hating Girl.
I did.

But I just look at the Source, so .. "water off a Ducks Back".

The gun war is in full swing on lots of sites (I've only posted on one gun thread, and that was about Dennis Kucinich). There are still plenty of good research threads, and science, Mars rover, space, etc, are my bread and butter (though as a vegan I don't eat butter). So until the crazy right wing commentators move on to something else, their copycats will come here and fight for their right to not have their guns taken away - which nobody in government is adocating anyway. For myself, I'm content with the new Mars gigapan, or the new data from CERN. It's all in a day's surfing.

Hmm sometimes what you said can be true but it is a matter of freedom so they have their reasons for posting such threads.

A funny pic. (No pun intended )

I think that those topics are still there and actually outnumber the ones you are complaining about. How would I know? I read them daily, I just don't comment on every thread I read. I particularly enjoy the UFO and Paranormal forums.

But you seem drawn to the threads you complain about.

You have your opinion, that’s cool. But when a thread really gets your anger flowing, take a break. It helps…well it helped me anyways when I took a sabbatical from ATS for a month.

So basically you are complaining about free speech.
I understand your frustration about certain topics.
Have you ever thought the reason for all the threads is because these topics are very important to some?
If one doesn't stand up for what they believe in then why do we stand up at all?
This thread will seem as redundant to them as they do to you.
Learn to skip the one's your not interested in and read the rest.

reply to post by mr-lizard


I think the jingoism and Freedumb Fries get a recharge every few years in order to keep Americans justifying the government's murder of foreigners. Last time, it was 9/11. This time, all it took was shining a spot light on the 2nd amendment and people went nuts and started pissing themselves.

What's scary is that it didn't even take threats. All that was done and I mean really done, not just claims made by red scare holdouts from the 50's, was that the issue was brought up and we couldn't even speak about it. No threats to take guns yet, every day, I see some ignorant post on Facebook comparing this to Hitler's regime. Ironically, it was the US and our allies who told the Germans they couldn't have guns loooong before Hitler got on the scene. Do people care when you bring these facts to them? Nope.

We don't care if Wall Street and the insurance industry empty our coffers but you better not lay a finger on anything that directly and immediately affects a "patriot".

Yeah your rant is valid but at the same time don't forget that now is the time that the gun debate is going on full force. 6 years ago when you joined was or were other topics. So don't blame ATS per say but the trend and the reality of things. I can suggest you another way of avoiding unwanted threads: Stop reading them!!! ATS has so many sub forums with plenty of interesting threads. Nobody can force you to be part of gun/anti gun debate. Pick the science forum, or archeology or ufo...the choices are plenty. That's what I do and I don't feel at all the pressure of the the gun debate.

Here, here...I take my hat off to you for such a good rant/let off of steam. I am amazed myself at how much our site has changed over the past 5 years. A valid point has been raised by a previous poster that there are still good threads, brilliant forums & classic members that put a lot of time & effort into their threads but alas the old school seems to have jumped train. Either that or they are just laying low and not wanting to be part of the racist, xenophobic, proud to be armed, anti faith hate crew.

I too lurked for years, had another account and gleaned some solid, profound information from members...threads, forums & enjoyed non hostile banter. I too am not American but I shall not judge the majority by the confused minority. Yes there is a lot going on over the pond but the things that are going on globally are horrific, things that are happening here in once great Britain are sad and too unreported for me. I've sat back, meditated, asked friends, discussed matters that are relevant to this whole situation & to be honest we are baffled.

I had a feeling that 2000&13 was going to be a year of awakening that's if we were still here (yes I prepared as did my friends too...always handy just in case...we'd rather have & not need than need and not have and all that) but it is shocking just how much of the youth have awoke, turned to sites such as ours but do not use manners & decorum as they should. I'm not anti anything, be it man, woman, boy, girl, alien, hybrid, gay, purple, orange or green but there is too much hate around these days.

People don't open doors for their elders any more, nobody will let somebody who is less able'd than them take 'their' seat on public transport, I speak to people in the streets...nothing profound just a hello here and a nice day there & am 97% of the time greeted by blank stares. People in general have become too self absorbed, too over opinionated and darn right disrespectful!! I'm not one to shout my mouth off or rant, I prefer to assess a situation first consider all the factors, the pros & cons the long term, short term outcome of a situation...all of that and then react. I offer salutations to your valid rant, all be it aimed at our cousins a wee bit too much but so be it.

Manners make a person...yes opinions count but they do not need to be shouted from the roof tops at **** decibels!! The top stories have taken a dive of late too, these days I much prefer to find the forums I'm happy with & soak in as much information as I can, then research it and then the 5% of my family, friends, mates & acquaints that will listen get the heads up. I do not care if 95% of the people in my life do not listen or care or are more interested in video games or how many social networking 'friends' they can get or if they think that the so label'd P.T.S.D has finally taken over me & I'm crazy...pffttt!! Life is too cheap these days, there are not too many people left with hearts or souls...yes I was once a machine, following orders, enjoying the life but now I am living a forced early retirement due to injuries & spend time on this site as well as others. Things have taken a dive world wide and myself as well as others are hoping, praying for some divine intervention before we destroy ourselves yet again.

S&F Sir

I totally agree with the OP. I also think a large majority of kids and younger adults make up the majority of
members. Thus the reason the responders are not higher caliber.

Originally posted by GmoS719
So basically you are complaining about free speech.

No.

What he is complaining about is uncivilised and arrogant behaviour that just wrecks discussion because it turns conversation into schoolyard "my dads bigger than your dad" style territorial pissing.

ATS most certainly is not the comments section of YouTube, and anyone who doesn't understand that and is incapable of a decent conversation needs to think things through and check their ego at the door.

reply to post by derekg

I also think a large majority of kids and younger adults make up the majority of members.

I think you'd be surprised at the age of posters and the quality of content....I don't think age equals poor content, not at all:
www.abovetopsecret.com...

www.quantcast.com...

I also think a large majority of kids and younger adults make up the majority of members.

Hey I joined ATS 5 hours ago but I am a minor. Didn't know you have age restrictions.

reply to post by mr-lizard


I completely agree. I'm sick of hearing about every single gun related event in the USA and how every rock on Mars is not a rock. This is a land of confusion and in a sad state. There is no PRIDE left here, just endless fuzz and no real direction other than advertising and member count.

There's only so much established members can do to "deny ignorance" but I have no interest in endlessly banging my head on a brick wall which is why I no longer take anything here that seriously.

The world can go to hell in a handbasket for all I care and I now visit ATS while surfing all the other internet entertainment sites just for fun.

If ATS had to "Grow Up", the membership would at least halve.

reply to post by inj3ct0r
There are no age restrictions, some members may think it would be an idea but there only opinions so don't take anything to heart.

All that us people who have been active on this site for years have noticed a lot of...hmm immature arguments that become bickering and sometimes insulting.

Feel free to open your & your friends eyes to the truth behind some of the worlds governments evil lies. Just keep the peace & remember politeness is not a weakness, try to add your opinion's, threads but proof read them before hitting send.

Peace be with you, knowledge is power, deny ignorance...but please be careful too!

All the best from over the pond here in the UK.

reply to post by mr-lizard


Have they added more topics to the forums?

Do you read the forums that are not about the topics you used to enjoy or are you saying that those topics also are full of gun conversations?

I would assume you are OK with any subject if in the proper forum?

I went back once and read some many years old ATS threads and I saw they did not star unless something was exceptional and there were few flags, the quality of the discussions are not to be seen not that much is true. The more I looked the more i longed for the old days and i was not even here then!

Originally posted by nerbot
reply to post by mr-lizard

 

I completely agree. I'm sick of hearing about every single gun related event in the USA and how every rock on Mars is not a rock. This is a land of confusion and in a sad state. There is no PRIDE left here, just endless fuzz and no real direction other than advertising and member count.

There's only so much established members can do to "deny ignorance" but I have no interest in endlessly banging my head on a brick wall which is why I no longer take anything here that seriously.

The world can go to hell in a handbasket for all I care and I now visit ATS while surfing all the other internet entertainment sites just for fun.

If ATS had to "Grow Up", the membership would at least halve.

Guns and gun legislation are very current topics important to the world not just the USA.

Persons who take the time to go over Mars photos and present possible anomalies may be seen as doing work that could prove worthwhile one day, the evaluating of their thoughts here by others is reasonable, if it bothers you there are a huge number of other topics.

reply to post by theguygeeza

People don't open doors for their elders any more, nobody will let somebody who is less able'd than them take 'their' seat on public transport,

You are right but it goes both ways. The other day we stopped to let an elderly man cross the street safely and he gave us the finger for our efforts. I see this kind of stuff so much i am afraid to be friendly or helpful anymore.

reply to post by derekg

I also think a large majority of kids and younger adults make up the majority of
members. Thus the reason the responders are not higher caliber.

I joined ATS as a teenager. And hey, I'm not even 21 now.. does that mean I automatically post low quality, poor content? No, absolutely not. Even if I do, my age doesn't automatically make anything so. I work pretty hard here, just look and see how much I try to throw into my opening posts. 2 of the best posters on this website, who I won't name but one is a great friend of mine and is busy in real life right now thus not here as much, are also teenagers..

To blame the young for what you see as poor content around here is inaccurate, as DTOM pointed out above, and also really quite unfair. From what I know of the age groups I see posting here, I've seen many young posters post genuinely fantastic stuff just as I've seen elder's and those in between do so. Contrary to what you may believe, I've personally never seen another place prove so conclusively that age really is but a number.

Here's a tip, at the top of the page there is a line of 'buttons'. Click the one that says "FORUMS". Hey, look at that, you just found all the forums on the site!

In short, grow up. Did you complain about all the election related posts? What about Fukushima? BP oil spill?

All of those were just like the gun threads are now, only last year. Guns are a big topic right now. How many forum sites aren't going nuts on gun control or the lack thereof. If it bothers you, go to the forums on the specific topics you want to read about.