I have been discussing this on another topic (I think it was the one about the trip to Neptune) - but I'll say it again - Unless people learn to discern and filter what information they take in, process, and accept, that we're still going to be manipulated, more or less.
Discernment is not enough - learn about different subjects and domains of knowing so you can be even better at judging these things. Whether its physics, chemistry, biology, psychology etc., doesn't matter, as long as you start to gain some knowledge about it. Its going to help you not only in evaluating various types of claims of various types of people who are in this, 'alternative' community, but also any claims made by the mainstream. Educate yourself!
Use multiple sources, mainstream, alternative, in between, or even outright unbelievable claims, compare them too, check with the literature in library, reference with other books, present facts, your own common sense and gut feeling etc.
Its not an easy thing, and it won't be - you will probably waste more time than usual by doing this, but at least your level of certainty in something, or lack there of, will become more transparent. You will know if something is BS or not.
A lot of people think that whatever opinions I have, or details and insights about various things, are solely the product of interactions and exchange of information with extraterrestrials - but a lot of it is actually my own interest in becoming more knowledgeable in certain subjects so I can be better at analyzing materials of the alternative community. I had to re-learn many things because I got forcibly directed at one particular direction in school, and it wasn't one that explained a lot of things to me. I ended up with more questions than answers.
I tell you (all) this because, no offense, but many of you here are, in fact, are very ignorant of some important things that can be boiled down to the use of a handful of facts (that can be acquired easily, in a short amount of time) and common sense.
I saw this with Aaron McCollum (his following remains almost unchanged unfortunately), I saw this with Leo Zagami, I saw it again with Dan Burisch, and yet again with "Charles". The newest one being this funfair ride to the planet Neptune via tickets and shapeshifting black limmos.
If this last one is enough to convince not one, but four people of ths forumtake this seriously enough to actually risk everything and go ahead and apply to be one of the people to go on this trip, and make a huge mass following os supporters, then all of you need to seriously question your discernment skills, basic logic and common sense, because they seem to be heading down south, and it doesn't look like its going to stop anytime soon. In fact, as you can see the track record - things are going from bad to worse, when it comes to discernment in this 'alternative' community.
Lucky you this was only a hoax. The Avalonians that applied to take this trip could have ended up in who-knows-who's hands and with their life in serious danger. I don't know why people don't think before they jump? Think twice before you jump. Think ten times. For your own sake.
Even though clearly there is no Nibiru (at least not anymore - and I won't go into the details as to how, when, why etc. - because I have said it countless times by now), people still cling on to it as a magnet, and entertain the topic, instead of focusing more at the situation at home, and maybe themselves and how well are they able to evaluate and digest information. I'm sorry if some of you feel offended, but its true. And if you feel offended, then maybe its ripe time to take things into your own hands and start doing what I suggested, and maybe you will realize what I realized long time ago, when I was still a teenager, and understand why I say this, and the reason behind it.
I mentioned Nibiru, there's also the Elenin hype, and the 2012 doomsday event, all of which are beaten to death topics. Its 2012, if Nibiru was coming, it would be here by now, we would have seen it.
I always encourage objective (but cautious) look at what I disseminate as information - I did so on my threads - I'm not asking for people to believe in it - but just have it in mind, when coming across a different material, and make comparisons. I'm delivering information, you don't have to believe in it, just use it. Like a tool. When the time comes. Whether I'm right or nor is not that relevant, its important that you are just aware of it that its there.
I'll give you one more example - Billy Meier. He has probably the greatest following of all alleged contactees, and is believed to be genuine by many. The falsified evidence aside, his own claims and "facts" don't stand the power of logic. If he was who he said he was, for example, or claimed to contact who he claims to contact, he wouldn't have made dire mistakes in basic astronomical measurements.
Either he, or his extraterrestrial contacts - don't seem to differentiate between what is a planet, what is a star, what is a constellation, and what is a galaxy. And how each looks, or how big it is, how far it is, etc. Its basic knowledge. If he contacted aliens who provided more detailed information like the one he presents, he would have known the difference. And one would think the extraterrestrials at the very least, would be the ones to know these things, as they have interstellar travel capabilities and come from far, far away.
His claims are as though you confuse the length of a centimeter, a meter and a kilometer - and can't tell the difference between them. Or the difference between geometric shapes.
This is why I encourage people to read and learn, educate yourselves on topics you had no previous understanding about before - you never know when you might need the knowledge to help you in analyzing and evaluating things.
@ S-L
I commend you for opening such a topic, since in my opinion it is clearly needed. And I don't know why some have questioned the purpose of the topic, when its clear. To discuss how to become more discerning when we come across topics of the alternative (or mainstream too).
I do have an issue with you putting all positive voices from above in one basket - that of a backhand agenda.
Its true that there are agendas out there disguised as harmless and benevolent, when in fact they are a lot more sinister, but the problem I have is you seem to be very, very much generalizing here.
There is no way to verify at this point whether this is their planet or not. Documentation for proof is a human concept, it doesn't apply up there.
When it comes to the world, they don't need our permission to help - if indeed they can help, and this is what they do. I'm referring to ecological dangers, climatic dangers etc. - if they want to act, they will act, they won't consult with us (and I don't think they need to, unless it has a harmful effect on us or any other type of life on this planet).
If things remain unchanged and unchallenged - yes, we would destroy the planet slowly. Responsibility falls on us as well as the 1% who move the puppet strings, for not acting out on the information we had, and prevent it. I for one, am happy there are some out there that do help in serious and dire situations on Earth - I wouldn't put dirt on that myself - as they are very close to becoming annoyed with our stupidity to the point of leaving us to make one of these bad mistakes and then leave for us to clean the mess.
But I think you are pretty much right about the rest of your points.
As a comment to them from me:
* Benevolent extraterrestrials don't abduct - they invite you in, and don't affect your memory of the event;
* They don't mess with your DNA - we are slowly repairing that automatically since 10.000 years ago - rushing that process is not beneficial;
* They only explain you the concept of spirituality, the various aspects of it, and several tips on what direction you should go, the rest of the journey is your own - there is no "help to ascend";
* The concept of 'cosmic brother' is used usually to associate with the human-looking extraterrestrials, so it should be obsolete - because you would be more 'brother' with some of them than others - or we should apply it to every one of them out there, even if they have tentacles rather than feet;
* Religion pushers should bring up red alarm too;