The Project Avalon Community Forum

[Ilie Pandia]

I'd like to say a few words about this, since there seem to be some misunderstandings about this Forum.

Great effort has been put into this community by Bill and his moderation team (old and new) to make this forum what it is today. As far as I am aware this is the only alternative media forum that focuses a lot on quality and mutual respect. And I am not blowing my own horn, I've looked at other forums too before joining Avalon and the amount of noise was unbearable.

Being a member of this community is not your right but its a privilege. I am pretty sure that some don't like this, but this is the way to keep this community together, with like minded people that can have useful and constructive conversation without being trashed by 2 days visitors, skeptics and trolls. For me, and I suspect for many others, this forum is like a sanctuary where you can discuss topics that you cannot approach with people "outside of this community". So, in order to maintain this quality, to keep this a safe, respectful and polite place, the moderation team of this forum reserves the right of who gets invited and who does not.

If you don't like any of the above, you can of course leave, and find another community more to your liking. And for those that read here "comply or die", that is just drama. It's more like: adhere to the rules and the spirit of this community or find yourself another one where you are better fitted. I know that there are those that think this is a totalitarian rule, but I'd rather say it's the forum's right to keep to its essence and chose its members. If you would create a like minded group, you will also choose whom gets invited to talk and whom you don't want to have at the table. This does not meant that those that you don't want at your table have to die. They can find another table, or start a group on their own. So please, no more totalitarian non-sense. You are free to leave and start your own forums. Nobody is stopping you, and nobody is putting a gun to your head.

So I'd like to remind you all that we are guests here, and we are privileged to be part of this community here and now. If you don't think so, just leave. Standing on the table and beating your chest about how this community should follow your rules will not get you anywhere! I know some members here that I deeply respect and I read their contributions in awe. And they never have any trouble with the moderation team. Not once. They understand what this platform is all about and I am glad to have them here.

And as before, I'm sure some (very few) will get upset about this post, while those that understand what this is, will appreciate what this platform is and what needs to be done to keep it like this.

Please think about this. If you no longer resonate with this place nobody is keeping you here. And you will not be allowed to trash this party for everybody else that enjoy themselves.

[Billy]

Well said Ilie, I just look at it like i have been invited to a private party in a lovely nugget house, The host leaves the party for a while and the guests are left to look after the nugget house on the understanding that we do not start rearranging the furniture or knocking walls down or trashing the place, and be carefull who comes knocking on the door wanting to join the party.

When the host returns hopfully everything is in order, the toilets are clean and there is plenty refreshments left in the fridge for him to join the party again.

[Cidersomerset]

No problem Ilie I think of everyone on here as a friend I would have met if we lived in the same town , as we must all be more or less on the same wavelengh to have joined in the first place..
Like all friends we can disagree but think before you fall out 'big' time in the heat of a thread for everybody needs friends....

VfgftsQ8IKU

[MalteseKnight]

I think that Illie's comment is timely. Before being hypercritical at others, lets look at ourselves. To be quite frank, many of my own views have changed radically over time. Most particularly so in the last ten years. To be quite frank I would have rubbished many concepts that I take to be sound and vice versa.

We should just remember that before you criticise somebody or opinion, you might end up agreeing with that person or opinion in the not too distant future! We also have to keep in mind that as the English saying goes there is such a thing 'as being hoisted by one's own petard.'

MalteseKnight

[Mad Hatter]

Once again the light of reason shines forth not unexpectedly from this quarter. Well done Ilie. I would however point out I have lurked for years been a member longer than two days but refuse point blank to stop being a sceptic...:p

It is usually the more prickly members that I find say some of the more interesting things and without such input we would run the risk of descending into groupthink thus I don't envy you your task but appreciate the fact that nonetheless you all do it as best you can.

cheers

[Ilie Pandia]

Mad Hatter, you are right about skeptics. We need them and I am one of them in most of the cases. What I've meant is those "armchair skeptics" that dismiss anything that is out of their "belief system" without looking into the matter and not only that but they go out of their way to convince the other how right they are. Those skeptics become quite often trolls trashing any conversations where others try to learn or share stuff.

So "healthy skepticism" is most welcome and I am not against that, not one bit!

[ThePythonicCow]

It is usually the more prickly members that I find say some of the more interesting things and without such input we would run the risk of descending into groupthink
Yes, indeed.

There is a balance, a cyclic yin and yang, to vibrant communities. Like the land, forests and streams that an agrarian community tends, there can be too much, or too little intervention. Too much, and it becomes 1000 hectares of Monsanto GMO corn, with hardly a vestige of other life forms allowed. Too little, and it reverts to wild land, unable to sustain the community.

Forums are another ecosystem. In natural ecosystems many elements play essential roles: the wind and the rain, the earth and the sky, the aphids and the eagles, the wolves and the sheep. A well tended forum will provide a fertile basis for new and shared insights and awareness. Too much diversity, dissent and discord becomes divisive; too little stultifying and oppressive. The Tower of Babel at one extreme, and the massed children reciting a pledge in enforced harmony at the other extreme.

We seek here not just to share what each of us has brought from our lives so far, but also to nurture new awareness. The newly formed, infant, awareness benefits from shelter and tender care; the mature and strong awareness gains strength and affect in the hullabaloo of the bazaar.

[manny]

Ok Ilie point taken,
but i do believe we all have a opinion.even if they are wrong or not up to the forum rules.
then it,s up to that person to learn from others.take it on board and learn by it.

to say get up and leave i think is the wrong answer.
we are all here for the same reasons.
but from time to time there will be a difference of opnion.
is that so wrong?
a couple of hundred years ago people got burned or where outcasts of their community ,because they stood up and told what they believed in.
they claimed the earth was round.

[Ilie Pandia]

Manny, I promise you, I am not going to kill you, nor burn you, nor stalk you, nor put a gun to your head. Please, stop those implications!

As I've said the initial post, if you feel you cannot express yourself here in the boundaries of the forum rules then find another community. You are not an outcast. You insist to be the victim here.

I would say that you would be in harmony with yourself, by joining hands with those that you resonate with instead of crossing swords with others.

[ThePythonicCow]

to say get up and leave i think is the wrong answer.
It is sometimes the right answer, manny.

We do not have an open door for one and all.

That is part of the basis of this forum to which we all agreed when we joined.

[sandy]

Once again the light of reason shines forth not unexpectedly from this quarter. Well done Ilie. I would however point out I have lurked for years been a member longer than two days but refuse point blank to stop being a sceptic...:p

It is usually the more prickly members that I find say some of the more interesting things and without such input we would run the risk of descending into groupthink thus I don't envy you your task but appreciate the fact that nonetheless you all do it as best you can.

cheers

AMEN Mad Hatter :)

[christian]

Common sense folks, nobody's got it all right, there will always be different opinions, just give your best to act decently and constructively. The golden rule is Do for others what you would like them to do for you. If you figure you don't like it here, instead of making a fuss over it, just go somewhere else.

The Dao De Jing inspires me to be more humble, propagating anarchy but appealing to a universal harmony, maybe you can appreciate it:


If powerful men and women
could remain centered in the Tao,
all things would be in harmony.
The world would become a paradise.
All people would be at peace,
and the law would be written in their hearts.

When you have names and forms,
know that they are provisional.
When you have institutions,
know where their functions should end.
Knowing when to stop,
you can avoid any danger.

The more prohibitions you have,
the less virtuous people will be.
The more weapons you have,
the less secure people will be.
The more subsidies you have,
the less self-reliant people will be.

I let go of the law,
and people become honest.
I let go of economics,
and people become prosperous.
I let go of religion,
and people become serene.
I let go of all desire for the common good,
and the good becomes common as grass.

[Snoweagle]

Having an opinion is never a problem. Being offensive to others that do not agree is a problem.
I love debates of differing opinions. I thrive on them. I expect one side or the other will eventually realise that an essence to their argument is flawed. Because at that point, both sides then coalesce; then the knowledge once again flows freely.

Never be afraid to have an opinion. Just be sure you know, it will change eventually.

[Referee]

Well said, The times we are in are important ones and we do not need any infighting. This is a Special Place where people awake or awakening can come and learn and share just how deep the rabbit hole is.

We all need to work together. I want to thank all you nuggets for the wisdom you have shared with me.

Best Regards,

Referee

[DoubleHelix]

Great post Ilie ! Obviously we all enjoy being here, it's quite a unique forum!

Just one question? Are the mod team open to suggestions toward improving the forum?

We touched on this briefly with yourself in the chat room :)

[WhiteFeather]

Well Said Ilie. Thank You. I Believe It Took alot of courage to post this message. This forum's Integrity Without a doubt, Surpasses Many Forums Out There Easily. The only question i have is, how the hell did you let me get in. LoL
Namaste And Peace To This Forum! This community is a great find, to say the least. It Truly Has An overabundance of incredible knowledge within its infrastructure.
~Be Love and One With The Universe~ Whitefeather

[DNA]

I'm in amazement how fair the moderation team here is, and how present and involved they are.
This forum is head and shoulders above anything else I've been a part of.
Forums like this used to be all over the place before facebook, but I'm going to be honest, with the ramping up of the use of the afore mentioned platform, communities like this are suffering from lack of participation.

Not only is the participation here amazing, the quality of the folks who post are the cream of the crop.

We have all experienced over-moderation at various forms I'm sure, and there is no way I can see how folks would say that about this local.

You don't have to agree about semantics, if you get pm'd and told you hurt some one's feelings and to chill out, well, then chill out.
Folks get hooked into confrontation so easilly at times.
I'm amazed at how sensitive folks are to authority figuires at times.
If rebelling is your deal, well, then go protest the IMF, or the World Band, or the Bohemian Grove or something.
Don't protest the governing body of a protest forum. :)

[ghostrider]

avalon is a treasure, ideas are put forth, input from members and people bare their souls so to speak . there is no other place on earth where true freedom and respect and the search for truth rules each day. I completely agree it is a priviledge... not taken lightly. thanks IP

[Malachi]

thannk you Ilie from the neighbourhood. ;) sometimes i'm a bit concerned about my posts, because i'm kinda new here and especially in the elenin/nibiru thread some members maybe look at me as a debunker. I wrote many times, I do not want to disrespect or to hurt anyone, the only thing I don't like is the fearmongering. many videos on the Youtube send many people to wild goose chase and if I see one here, I like to point out the errors. I don't want that the members of this great forum take bad vibes from some "nugget" (I learned this here, hehe) who can't tell the difference between a constellation and Nibiru or between the Moon and the Sun.

thank you everyone, I love you all.

[Ilie Pandia]

Just one question? Are the mod team open to suggestions toward improving the forum?

Yes, DoubleHelix of course we are :)

But you have to understand that suggestions may or may not be applied and if they are applied it may take a long time to do so. And this happens also with suggestions that come from inside the moderation team.

The reason for that is that we have to coordinate a team in different time zones, that have different daily schedules, some suggestions may imply software adjustments, changing processes that work and would require new training and so on.

[manny]

ok here goe,s.,
imo the mods on here have been more than patience.
they have had a tough week or two.
i realise that from time to time i challenge people.
why ?
i don,t know,i have a sense of truth and believe.
and i will fight or speak for the minority.
i am i right ?
i don,t know.

i put my head in the sand after my last thread.
the next day i woke up and thought ,why did i say that ? what did i say ?
i thought...
was it my ego?
seeking attention?
negative attention?
any attention?

i got the option to leave avalon.

then i reflected.

what have i learned from avalon?
we have shared stories.
i have laughed,
and i have cried,
music taste are exchanged.
jokes are shared,
serious debate is confronted.
the unknown is their to share.

and what did i offer?
very little.

please be patience with people,as there are massive changes going on in the world.
and emotions will arise.

so for very selfish reasons i would like to ask all avalonions,espescialialy the mods,
to forgive me,and allow me to learn and gain my experience to grow to be a better person.
thank you.
i could walk out the door.and leave everthing behind.
but i would rather stay,and learn from all of your experiences and take it in.
but if you feel i still do not resonate with avalon i will surely leave.

i will say that their are many things in the world that we are not accoustmened to at this present time.
so instability will surley show itself,as it did with me.
with love.

ok feel better now that is off my chest.
been playin on my head for a few days,,,,

at timed the ego overtakes,and this is not a true reflection of self.
for people who know me they know what i am talking about.

becareful of the ego as it will take any form possible by any means!

[ViralSpiral]

Thank you for your hearfelt apology, and your decision to stay. I am glad you did!

[Fred Steeves]

Manny, you're one of a kind, I'd be happy to have you as my next door neighbor. I like a little mix it upedness(is that a word?) in a person, it keeps things interesting. That's my way of saying you BETTER not leave!!!

Cheers,
Fred

[ulli]

Manny, voicing your opinion is great, and I for one will always listen.

Then the dialogue can begin.

The trouble starts when that opinion doesn't resonate with others,

and becomes insisted upon, again and again and again. The broken record thingy...and nerves get frayed.

See the difference? Sometimes the new idea needs some time to gel...say it once then allow it to sink in.

Of course, there is always the risk that someone else steals the idea later on and gets all the credit for it.

But the main thing is that it got heard...

and there is a better chance of that happening when it is presented in a meek manner.

[manny]

thanks Fred .
you would and i would love to have many person as neighbour here on avalon.
but life as it is,it does not work that way.

what does work is that you are my neighbour here and now,and the whole community can share our experiences,
;)

[thunder24]

Stick around manny , I brought you and the rest of the gang something over here: http://projectavalon.net/forum4/showthread.php?577-Avalon-Lounge&p=280659

peace

[DoubleHelix]

and what did i offer?
very little.


Wachu talkin bout Willis? Manny, if it weren't for a certain someone there wouldn't be an active chat room up and running! So don't tell us you haven't contributed.. I myself enjoy many of your thought provoking posts, your style of writing and your delivery!

I also appreciate and respect anyone who stands up for something they wholeheartedly believe in.

The whole situation involving LordSid and the potential applicants could of been handled a lot better imo, but we're not privy to all the information behind the scenes so it's hard to paint a clear picture.

So stick around bud, the kegs well chilled and we got a seat with your name on it!

[Lord Sidious]

ok here goe,s.,
imo the mods on here have been more than patience.
they have had a tough week or two.
i realise that from time to time i challenge people.
why ?
i don,t know,i have a sense of truth and believe.
and i will fight or speak for the minority.
i am i right ?
i don,t know.

i put my head in the sand after my last thread.
the next day i woke up and thought ,why did i say that ? what did i say ?
i thought...
was it my ego?
seeking attention?
negative attention?
any attention?

i got the option to leave avalon.

then i reflected.

what have i learned from avalon?
we have shared stories.
i have laughed,
and i have cried,
music taste are exchanged.
jokes are shared,
serious debate is confronted.
the unknown is their to share.

and what did i offer?
very little.

please be patience with people,as there are massive changes going on in the world.
and emotions will arise.

so for very selfish reasons i would like to ask all avalonions,espescialialy the mods,
to forgive me,and allow me to learn and gain my experience to grow to be a better person.
thank you.
i could walk out the door.and leave everthing behind.
but i would rather stay,and learn from all of your experiences and take it in.
but if you feel i still do not resonate with avalon i will surely leave.

i will say that their are many things in the world that we are not accoustmened to at this present time.
so instability will surley show itself,as it did with me.
with love.

ok feel better now that is off my chest.
been playin on my head for a few days,,,,

at timed the ego overtakes,and this is not a true reflection of self.
for people who know me they know what i am talking about.

becareful of the ego as it will take any form possible by any means!

You better stick around mannynugget, this place wouldn't be the same without you.
Ok?

[ulli]

and you too, m'Lord, here's your big :welcome: back :hug:
and just a little reminder of the :censored:
and watch out for the :cow:

[Ernie Nemeth]

Manny, that was a great post. Well said!

I'm slow with all this internet stuff. (ie. only realized there was a chat room here yesterday) I feel I'm not on familiar ground so its hard to be myself. I get embarassed alot. Then I get mad. Then I remember who I am and what I want. And my posts reflect that confusion, I think. And sometimes I want to leave, like I always do...I can be anybody I want in a new situation among strangers... and start over. But always on the run means you have to travel light. And thats not always a good thing. It does give a unique perspective, of value in itself. But the value comes in contrast to its opposite...family and stability is the root of the human condition. I choose to stay!

But could you cut us misfits a bit of slack, please. (misfit is my word for myself, not anyone else, no one take offense, okay?)

I love you all, and thanks for putting up with me thus far.

Peace

[eq1]

It would seem that the same imposed conditions that allow this forum to function according to the goals that are clearly outlined from the get-go, are the ones that might also facilitate positive, beneficial projects of an unprecedented scale. The same projects might have in other places, or even in the forum previous to this one, been derailed or have lost momentum due to a dilution in the clarity of the goals that originally inspired them.

I haven't browsed around enough yet to see what's happening so far in that regard, but I feel positively about how I might contribute in light of this excellent forum structure.

eq

[Guest]

Thank you Ilie,

One of my reasons for becoming a member of PV was the fact that I might learn something.... open my mind more, and keep an open mind. Yes, the PV forum is definitely a place where I can openly share my views, opinions, what is in my heart and rage against the "machine", where other wise it would not be wise for me to do so -except with a very few close friends and in certain arenas and I would like to say, at times it can be a very lonely journey. This forum gives me hope.... and from what I can see -being a new member- there is a lot of faith here. Appreciate every ones efforts, posts and communications.

Nora

we are all related

[Elly]

IMHO, this post from Bill Ryan has its place here as this thread is a sticky one:


Hello, All:

The other day I received a concerned message from the partner of an active Avalon member, seeking reassurance about what they were engaged in. The person who wrote to me was bewildered, courteous and caring. Some of you may possibly find my reply of value.

Dear _______ ,

Many thanks for your message. It's not a petty question.

Many people these days, myself included, have little confidence in governments or the mainstream media to provide us with good, reliable information about what is really happening in the world.

My own personal sources -- people who hold or have held positions within the intelligence agencies or the military -- suggest to me that all is not what it seems in the world, and that there are major problems, issues and plans which are not being disclosed to the citizens. Of this I am personally certain.

The role of the Project Avalon Forum (which is far from unique on the internet, though it has a deserved reputation for being a very high quality, spiritually-oriented group of people, your partner included) is to provide a kind of meeting place for people to discuss these issues.

The forum is an online community -- a virtual group of people with very broadly similar interests -- who exchange information, ideas, perspectives and personal anecdotes, just as would any group of friends if they were sitting round drinking coffee or at a dinner table enjoying a conversation. The goal of the forum is simply to facilitate a means for this to happen. It has no agenda in itself.

Personally, I'd describe myself as an educator. I used to be a teacher (math and physics), but quickly left mainstream education. Since then I've been working in what could be called personal development: helping individuals discover truth and ability within themselves and for themselves.

I have a very high opinion of all individuals' human potential. Whether each of us reaches our potential is quite another matter, but many of us are working hard on our personal growth: and I do what I can to help, encourage and assist.

My advice and encouragement to you, if I may, would be to support your partner, non-judgmentally, as best you can, in their quest for the truth of what is happening on our planet in these turbulent and confusing times -- and also for their personal truth. That is the greatest gift that we can offer anyone we care deeply about.

With my personal best wishes to you -- Bill

Bill Ryan
Project Avalon Founder