Project Avalon has become The Lord of the Flies

[Cartomancer]

I hate to say this but it is impossible to state your opinion around here without being attacked by an organized phalanx of people who feel it is o.k. to ostracize and shut up anyone they don't agree with. Sadly their primary motivating force is to get rid of people who don't agree with their points of view. This is complete and utter B.S.

fo·rum audio (fôrm, fr-) KEY

NOUN:
pl. fo·rums, also fo·ra (fôr, fr) KEY

The public square or marketplace of an ancient Roman city that was the assembly place for judicial activity and public business.
A public meeting place for open discussion.
A medium of open discussion or voicing of ideas, such as a newspaper or a radio or television program.
A public meeting or presentation involving a discussion usually among experts and often including audience participation.
A court of law; a tribunal.

Source: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-yfN514PKOc

[peace]

I've been told, recently "give it a rest," and/or "what are you doing to make things better?" (here the second one often).
I thought this was the place to ask questions.

I still think it is. Just needs to be more of us that are doing it, not blindly saying, "oh, it's wilcock, kerry, bill, collier, bruisch, sanchez, (etc), we might as well just accept it as fact." (note, I really like the recent sanchez, dulce info, but I digress).

THIS is the place to look skeptically, no? If not and we are supposed to digest the info? Does that not go against what the above listed people and those in the community would do if you or I presented info

A user just posted a awesome old video on a thread about reptilians i started that spoke of the shootout at dulce. The speaker said, (sic) "Don't put on your SPECticals when looking at my information, but put on your SKEPticals."

Brilliant. It's my understanding that speaker was later found dead for speaking out.

EDIT: The speaker in question was Phil Schnieder (apologies if I got the last name spelled incorrectly).

[Alie]

What I think is this: I used to be very "undiplomatic" when I stated my opinion. My opinion was usually one that folks didn't agree with, so I naturally took on a defensive tone of voice. Although we can't hear your voice, it's possible that writing "tone" is coming into play here.

I have learned to present information with ABSOLUTELY NO EXPECTATION ... NO AGENDA ... AND WITH TOTAL RESPECT for the humaness of the listener. When I say IMHO, I really do mean it cause no one here (or in my day to day) has to listen to me.

[waves]

Posted by peace (here)
I've been told, recently "give it a rest," and/or "what are you doing to make things better?" (here the second one often).
I thought this was the place to ask questions.

I still think it is. Just needs to be more of us that are doing it, not blindly saying, "oh, it's wilcock, kerry, bill, collier, bruisch, sanchez, (etc), we might as well just accept it as fact." (note, I really like the recent sanchez, dulce info, but I digress).

THIS is the place to look skeptically, no? If not and we are supposed to digest the info? Does that not go against what the above listed people and those in the community would do if you or I presented info.....

You are absolutely right and I think the moderators are being way too lax and tolerant of trolls, uneducated (supposedly invited?) participants and one-liner posts that contribute nothing, especially the "I love ______! How can you criticize?". Others stupidly take up 3 inches of space to say "Looks good, thanks.... or I'll watch later" or similar. MODS - WTF???

In another recent thread I thought you had every right to contribute your adding up evidence to suggest how Wilcock's April predictions would turn out, and the thread instantly got full of criticism of you and baseless defense of Wilcock like "he's just human, we're going against our new-ageyness to not be nice to him". Makes me go aaaaaargh.

I really think a serious culling of members is needed here. There are lots of very intelligent people on the same page gathered here who have done their homework and could really be getting some discussing going and would probably contribute a lot more without all the uneducated derision and pointless filler that we are long past.

[Chinaski]

this is a frequent complaint, and i just don't see it.

people need to keep this in mind: just because you're offended does not make you right. with the exception of trolls, most people do and say what they feel is "right" given their understanding of the universe or God or whatever. generally, people are not going out of their way to be offensive. but people *do* often get offended when others disagree with them, though the intent was never there to offend or verbally attack to begin with, and then the accusation ping-pongs back n forth in a series of perceived straw-man exchanges (ie "you're attacking me!" "no, you're attacking me!" "no, you're attacking me!" etc...).....when in reality, all that existed was a basic disagreement.

we're just a little too sensitive at times. humor is a good tool. use it if you feel you're being deliberately messed with. it'll work 9 times outta 10. damn, i'd love a troll harassing me on one of my threads. i mean it! i'd really enjoy the challenge. the best way to beat a troll is to shame a troll, and this is done with humor. see it as a chance to sharpen your sword a little. and guys, don't take it all so damn seriously!

[christian]

So you want an open discussion, as long as nobody disagrees with you or what? "It is impossible to state your opinion around here without being attacked by an organized phalanx of people" is a heavy overstatement in my opinion. If you're personally attacked, just report that post, this will not be tolerated. If others express an opinion that's different than your's, just cope with it, if it is an opinion that violates the forum rules, report it.

I think I agree with you, that constructively worded posts are usually more helpful than purely criticizing ones. Now it's the same old story, we cannot really make others be or do something, we can only be the change we want to see, put on a thick skin and go for it

[write4change]

Is an invited forum only a place for the intellect? Are intellectual snobs somehow more worthy souls than the average educated soul? Is seeking on whatever level the purpose of Avalon or not? Do we believe it is the heart that has more power than the mind or not? Is this some kind of Darwinism of the mind?

It is the Western Mind the Anglo Saxon Disease that got us here with the belief that indigenious people had no right to their own lifestyle or piece of the planet. Are we going to still go in that direction.

Do you not have the power to discern which threads will suit you or not? If you are 15, are you expected to play with the 5 year olds and hold them to your standards? Are they playing well in their own sandbox with other 5 year olds? So leave them alone to learn at their own rate.

As long as you focus on the 5 year olds, you will remain intellectually 15. I do believe and agree with many of our great alternative thinkers, as long as you just want to escape this planet and its destiny you chose to involve yourself---we all get off or upward and onward or none. This is the choice we keep making as a species. Darwinism of all kinds has been around only 150 years, it was never the complete or correct picture. It is a weapon of TPTB. We are connected or we are not.

Connection does not mean we are of equal minds of understanding but it does mean we are of equal hearts of feelings. The 1% don't feel. I don't trash anybody because it feels bad when I am trashed and I have a lot of coping skills and a life time of experience dealing with rejection.

As an army brat I learned there were two kinds of commanders those who had already seen so much chicken **** they never wanted to see chicken **** again; and those who wanted to see just exactly how much chicken **** they could dish out. Guess which ones get fracked?

[jjjones]

my avalonian friends, forums are for speaking ones feelings and opinions, we are all both teachers and students. when one speaks maliciously or out of ignorant intent, pay no heed because there is something to learn from everybody. don't take things to heart defensively but to heart in discernment. sensitivity can beget anger or peace, it is a feeling that needs to be kept in balance, just as other things within ourselves and our lives. i look at p.a and all forums as a thanksgiving table, there are all kinds of different products on it, so just take what you want/need and what you don't want/need leave it alone. it is not worth over eating and getting indigestion. don't know if this is much help, but i hope i did some good for all of you. namaste, peace and love universally

[foreverfan]

Posted by Chinaski (here)
this is a frequent complaint, and i just don't see it.

people need to keep this in mind: just because you're offended does not make you right. with the exception of trolls, most people do and say what they feel is "right" given their understanding of the universe or God or whatever. generally, people are not going out of their way to be offensive. but people *do* often get offended when others disagree with them, though the intent was never there to offend or verbally attack to begin with, and then the accusation ping-pongs back n forth in a series of perceived straw-man exchanges (ie "you're attacking me!" "no, you're attacking me!" "no, you're attacking me!" etc...).....when in reality, all that existed was a basic disagreement.

we're just a little too sensitive at times. humor is a good tool. use it if you feel you're being deliberately messed with. it'll work 9 times outta 10. damn, i'd love a troll harassing me on one of my threads. i mean it! i'd really enjoy the challenge. the best way to beat a troll is to shame a troll, and this is done with humor. see it as a chance to sharpen your sword a little. and guys, don't take it all so damn seriously!

Please use the chat feature. I'm tired of reading most of this crap.

Usually I agree with most of your posts and I applaud this one.

As a moderator on another high activity board, open discussions/pissing matches are frowned upon and posters will get a warning and then reluctantly... a much needed suspension.

I think using the smiley icons do help to show intent. USE THEM.

That's all.

[frozen alchemy]

As a newbie here but a veteran on other 'tinfoily' and news-based forums, most having what I thought was a very high degree of intellectual content, I can assure you this is the most polite, open-minded place I've ever seen. As someone who got shouted down for actually daring to quietly promote the Zeitgeist Movement* (the owner of the board says it reminds him of Pol Pot and Scientology...) I've seen group attacks up close and personal. It did feel a lot like the Lord of the Rings, or my thought at the time, the kind of group fear that led to witchburnings and other fun historical times... I am no longer posting on that forum for that reason. Instead of making a separate place where those who were interested could discuss it (and many were) or trying to learn more about it, a debunking site that I thought was childish and ludicrous was cited and the entire topic was banned... this in a place that prides itself on open honest discussion.

*I simply posted a link to the global website with the announcement that they had just reached 500,000 members. I proceeded to answer questions as they came in from people who had never heard of it, encouraging them to go over to the website and check out the videos and lectures. The first several posts however, consisted of trolling type posts 'eyeball rolling' emoticons, and people continually posting on the thread who had already fully described their distaste for the subject. Why do people continue to post in a subject they have no interest in? Odd, that...

Sorry for the slight thread jack. This is a sore point for me and a rather new and open wound. Carry on.

[gripreaper]

Look, if everyone would just listen to me and use the "thanks" button liberally on all of my posts, then the problem would be solved. I'm the best poster here and what I have to say has the most validity of all of the posters here, and should be treated as such.

period.

[Seikou-Kishi]

I remember somebody made the point a while ago that people use the phrase "I'm offended" or "that offends me" to dictate the rules of play. It might have been David Icke. Chinaski's post reminded me of it, and I think he's right; so... you're offended? Well, you can lay out your eggshells but I can't promise I'll walk on them.

Anybody can start a thread and state their arguments or ask their questions. Other people are just as entitled to reply and disagree with them. If somebody agrees with you, they're not as likely to write a response saying that as if somebody disagrees with you; they'll write a response telling you how they disagree and giving you the reasons for it. On balance, therefore, it might seem that you only get contradictory replies, but that's just because anybody who agrees with you has already had their view stated — by you. If you think somebody is derailing your post with talk of wishy-washy feeling and 'well my hunch is' and things like that, ask them to remain on a purely factual, analytical basis and remind them if they'd like to talk about how they 'just know', they are as free as you are to start a thread about intuition.

But I'm sure you don't dislike so much that they disagree with you but how they do it. In that case, click the triangular black '!' symbol near the 'thanks' button and report the post to the moderators. If they agree with you they will act accordingly and if they don't they'll tell you why and everything can be sorted without storms in teacups :-)

[Amzer Zo]

[<8>]

Hi..


It's because most people is stuck in their mind believes.

Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing


P.s If you dont understand this, you are also stuck in your mind believes.


..8..

[modwiz]

Posted by frozen alchemy (here)
As a newbie here but a veteran on other 'tinfoily' and news-based forums, most having what I thought was a very high degree of intellectual content, I can assure you this is the most polite, open-minded place I've ever seen. As someone who got shouted down for actually daring to quietly promote the Zeitgeist Movement* (the owner of the board says it reminds him of Pol Pot and Scientology...) I've seen group attacks up close and personal. It did feel a lot like the Lord of the Rings, or my thought at the time, the kind of group fear that led to witchburnings and other fun historical times... I am no longer posting on that forum for that reason. Instead of making a separate place where those who were interested could discuss it (and many were) or trying to learn more about it, a debunking site that I thought was childish and ludicrous was cited and the entire topic was banned... this in a place that prides itself on open honest discussion.

*I simply posted a link to the global website with the announcement that they had just reached 500,000 members. I proceeded to answer questions as they came in from people who had never heard of it, encouraging them to go over to the website and check out the videos and lectures. The first several posts however, consisted of trolling type posts 'eyeball rolling' emoticons, and people continually posting on the thread who had already fully described their distaste for the subject. Why do people continue to post in a subject they have no interest in? Odd, that...

Sorry for the slight thread jack. This is a sore point for me and a rather new and open wound. Carry on.

Hey watch it! No dissing the Lord of the Rings. It is Lord of the Flies we are discussing.

I was hoping to stay out of this thread.
Oh yeah. Welcome to Avalon.
(Mumbles into his beard and wanders off)

[Zebra]

Just be happy!

[KiwiElf]

Posted by Zebra (here)
Just be happy!
Attachment 15747

LOL :D
Avalon is the reality you choose to make it...

[wavydome]

I actually have experienced all sides of this issue, however a forum will one day arrive......

The internet can finally solve the human-to-bandwidth-ratio! The internet is the abundance we have today! If humans will invest appropriate efforts. Otherwise, we will remain boxed in to scarcity of peaceful-expressions.

Expensive? solutions comes to my mind--

Compartmentalize viewer navigation! Here are some potentialities:

Force each Avalon section to have it's own "Today's Posts" button. So that humans will more likely steer towards their feeling of the day. Instead of having to trudge through titles, which might provoke unhelpful reactivity.

Also provide more Forum Sections. This will relieve the anxiety which bumps the 'flies' to the top.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I've felt a post of mine was wasted by someone who failed to understand common usages of terms i used-- Taking up many paragraphs. Surely discouraging another person's reading it.

I also have said a dumb thing or two regarding another human's post. Wishing i could delete all the space i wasted on their post. Guilty.

Then, there are my middling-posts, i wish would not distract from other, better posts on threads.

[Fred Steeves]

Posted by Chinaski (here)
humor is a good tool. use it if you feel you're being deliberately messed with. it'll work 9 times outta 10.

Yep, and it's also fun.