Beyond Spin and Bull****

[Carmody]

Posted by RMorgan (here)

Posted by CurtisW (here)
But, as you've said, it would be cool if they could be honest about being wrong.

I'm not talking about whistle-blowers in general, but a lot of people in the Alternative Media earn a living by being dead wrong.

David Wilcock, for instance...The man become famous thanks to his 2012 ascension exposure...Did he apologize? Of course not; He earned a lot of money and fame from his books, articles and lectures...He just said something like "I'm sure something magical will eventually happen somewhere in the future whenever it happens"...

These folks are not stupid...Did Hoagland apologize for being a crucial part of the Elenin fiasco? No...Of course not. In fact, he's just trying to spin the same story regarding ISON.

You see, apologizing, in such cases, is a mistake. Admitting that you're not a special guy, with special knowledge and special "sources" would simply finish their "careers"....Yes, brother, people are making careers out of it.

Did Kerry Cassidy ever apologize for eternally interviewing and giving media exposure to charlatans and for spinning fear-porn stories that always and invariably end up being wrong after a while? No, of course not...

This is a business. Period. Admitting failure is the last resource, used only when all other resources are exhausted. Just like in any other business.

To sum up, these folks like to spin the same things over and over and over again...and they've been wrong over and over and over again. People still buy stories told by people who were consecutively wrong, simply because by not officially admitting their mistakes through formal apologies, people still perceive them as special sources of information. Apologizing, in this case, would break up the spell and consequently end up their careers.

The same phenomena happens in politics; As an example, everybody knows that Obama has told many lies and made many mistakes; Somehow, they still accept him as a president. Now, if Obama himself admitted he was wrong and lied several times and apologized for it, his career would be over right there.

Apologizing, in some situations, negatively impacts on public opinion. It removes the line between people perceiving you as a potential liar or as an official self-admitted liar or loser.

Apologizing is officially taking self-responsibility over your own actions; It will make the public officially perceive you as responsible for whatever you've done, which in some cases may even get you arrested, like in a court of law when someone admits to be guilty.

There's a big different between people suspecting that one of these alternative media guys is a liar and a fraud and people knowing that he's a liar and a fraud because he himself admitted it indirectly through apologies...As long as people just suspect, their careers will be fine and they will still be able to spin the same stories over and over again...

One big thing you are not taking into account is that apologizing to the public only works for a few people -- - the people who can balance themselves and expect balance in others.

As for the rest, if you apologize to them, it just makes it worse. Far, far far worse. and NO, it is not about business, it is the norm of psychology, class 101. Thus the attention of the people is lost as you want things to work for you and for your viewpoint, Which is -flatly speaking-, not the norm and not universal. Especially in the great unwashed, which is the target audience.

Essentially, your desires enacted, would destroy the very efforts that bring awareness to as many as possible, as people don't really work (internal unconscious function) the way you seem to think they do.

edit. reading your post fully, you seem to be getting it but at the same time seem to dismiss the front (their public face) that they HAVE TO live in...as being disingenuous.

This is a numbers game. And that requires the behavior and attitude they live in and act by being exactly as it is.

Looking in the right direction comes long before any forms of enlightenment begin, and in that it is purely a number of people that are reached with the fundamental mindset attributes. Apologies and that sort of behavior you are asking for, would kill that before it has a chance to take hold.

[ghostrider]

all information is sanitized , it's up to the individual to do the research into whatever topic and make up their own mind ... Mostly the truth is the stuff of myth and legend , and the stuff of myth and legend is closer to the truth ...

[Curt]

Posted by RMorgan (here)

The forum is now in a gray area. People are not buying all the bullshilt and hype as they used to, which is a good and necessary first step, but generally, we don't know where to go from here.

This is the big question. Where do we go from here?

[CD7]

Yes I was just thinking this.....hummmm WE all know ITS ALL BACKWARDS----now what???

Shall we discuss it for eternity? Wouldn't it be nice to be like Ison----travel in a straight line for eons and then all of sudden CHANGE COURSE in a couple of days, awwww to dream........

[Curt]

I'd like to shift the focus of this thread to a discussion of where to go from here.

To the Mods, I'd like to request that the thread title be changed to: Beyond Spin and Bull***%: where do we go from here?

[Ron Mauer Sr]

Posted by CurtisW (here)

Posted by RMorgan (here)

The forum is now in a gray area. People are not buying all the bullshilt and hype as they used to, which is a good and necessary first step, but generally, we don't know where to go from here.

This is the big question. Where do we go from here?

My intention is to go in a direction that feels good.

The journey never ends.

[Ron Mauer Sr]

Just one gem of many from Illusions, The Adventures of a Reluctant Messiah, by Richard Bach.

I need to remind myself with this sometimes when choosing a direction for my next step.

[jackovesk]

I'm Very Tired of Being Spun and Bull**@%ed

You need to watch what goes on in the (War-Room) in the (HUNGER GAMES) with Philip Seymour Hoffman showing how the PTW Strategize, Manipulate & (CONTROL)...

[Robin]

Posted by CurtisW (here)
This is the big question. Where do we go from here?

I think that it is fair to say that much of our frustration comes from realizing that there are so many people who are not awake and aware. Most of the world has NO idea what is going on and they are continuing to feed the system. People need to wake up if we are going to establish a new paradigm and bring truth to light.

I have an idea that I think may be a step in the right direction. We all are unique and have our personal strengths and focus, so why don't we put them to use? I think Dennis's thread Skillsets: we're not all equal, so wouldn't it be wise to collaborate? is also a step in the right direction for us on Avalon.

For us (Avalon as a whole) to go in another direction and actually begin to DO things--rather than just discuss things--we need to interact more with people who are not awake and aware. It is our responsibility as people who are awake and aware to do what we can to take care of our neighbors. We need to wake up our neighbors if we are ever going to progress into the truth movement.

When I say neighbors, I really mean all of the misguided people on the internet who are so absorbed in distracting cat videos or other useless internet memes. We need to point them in the right direction and show them where to find useful information that they should focus their attention on.

What we on Avalon need to look into is bringing information to forums that have nothing to do with the truth movement. There are thousands of forums on the internet where people talk with like-minded people that discuss topics such as: diseases, books, films, motherhood, etc. Forums are a great way for people to come together and it's a shame that most forums do not talk about the truth.

My idea is that we each take our individual strength/focus, join other forums, and slowly introduce people to the truth. We bring in information that is relevant to the forum that will begin to make people think differently...that will ultimately allow them to wake up.

For instance, I consider my strength/focus to be as a Tolkien scholar. I am very savvy when it comes to the works of Tolkien (Lord of the Rings, Silmarillion). I created a thread a while ago called Waking up in Middle Earth. The purpose of this thread was my way of documenting correlations with Tolkien's works to our reality.

As a truth seeker and somebody interested in scholarly works, I know that Tolkien's works are fictional tales of the real history of humanity. Tolkien had access to the Vatican library and was given an OK to write his books. His characters and themes correspond directly to things such as Project IBIS, genetic manipulation, the Illuminati, etc. It is clear as day for me to make these correlations.

There are many forums on the internet dedicated entirely to discussing the works of Tolkien. I have observed many of them and of course the members of those forums are misguided. They seem to discuss Tolkien's works as nothing more than a story, but do not talk about the Big Picture. I can tell that the people who visit those forums are not awake and aware.

I want to change this. What I am going to do for my part in waking people up, is to join many of these forums and slowly introduce heavier concepts to the members. I'm going to bring to light that Tolkien had access to secret information and I am going to show members my correlations. This is a creative and easy way to wake people up as there are hundreds of millions of Tolkien fans across the world. Imagine all of them waking up!

By introducing these heavy concepts (those we discuss here on Avalon that we know to be true) to people in a way they can directly relate to, we can wake people up rather efficiently. In my case, with my Tolkien knowledge, I can show people that the Eye of Sauron is clearly a representation of the Eye of Horus, the symbol the Illuminati use. It's on the back of the dollar bill for goodness sakes!!

So, again, my idea is:

• Avalon members join other forums that discuss things they are either interested in or have knowledge about.
• introduce the truth to members of the forums slowly and unobtrusively.
• casually make correlations that will interest these members and will benefit them.

I am going to do this regardless if anyone likes the idea, because I feel obligated to do so. I feel that I must guide people in the right direction as I have information that is important and needs to get out. I invite you to join me.

[Mark]

There is a reticence on the part of the Awake and Aware to venture out. We all have been stung repeatedly by forays into the mainstream, after having shared information. It remains a truism that the messenger is killed. For those who have the strength of purpose and the fortitude to withstand such barrages, taking the messages of the true reality of things is something that they are probably already doing, to the best of their ability. For those new to knowledge and these knids of understandings, thinking about doing so, despite the negative outcomes of past experiences, may be something to consider.

Yes, many are still asleep. But many more are awakening too. In every group of people who seem to be sleeping, there are those who are only pretending. Who know something is going on and who have searched themselves for things, have experienced things they've never shared with others. These are the ones that will approach you later, after hearing others denigrate your beliefs and statements, to ask you more in-depth questions. Maybe 1 or 3 out of 10. These are the ones that can be pointed in the right direction, given access to the resources that will satisfy their curiosity and need to know more.

I reach out on my blogs, with my FB pages, share my writings, art and music as widely as possible. For those who are ready, they will find them. I have received many, many emails and comments out of the blue telling me how useful my works were, and how I've helped, even though I don't know them. Expressing truth, putting it out there for people to find, no matter how reticent one may be, or how minimal one things their writing or speaking skills are, you will resonate with someone, somewhere, who writes like you do, speaks like you do, understands in a similar manner as you. And this seems to be the point, Vibrations attracct similar vibrations and those of higher vibrations can raise those of a slightly lower vibration if the right word, the right phrase, the right idea is presented in exactly the right way to meet that person where they are at in that moment.

Speaking out. Providing another avenue of truth, alternative to the mainstream, considered, thoughtful and sympathetic to the recognition that baby steps are needed with many, while for others, they can swallow the whole enchilada at once. Mr. Gamgee has a very palpable point and it is accessible to each and every one of those members reading this as well as the many visitors who visit these threads as well.

Share. Trust that synchronicity will place you in the correct circumstances so that the msg is received by those who are ready for it. Don't let the fear of being labeled different stop the expression of these greater truths and realities. Recognize the fear of the sarcastic, the ironic, the derisive, offensive. Don't take it personal because it is not about you, it is about change. It is about cracking the box and revealing what is outside of it.

Group initiatives are all well and good, but it has to start individually.

[Robin]

Posted by SamwiseTheBrave (here)
So, again, my idea is:

• Avalon members join other forums that discuss things they are either interested in or have knowledge about.
• introduce the truth to members of the forums slowly and unobtrusively.
• casually make correlations that will interest these members and will benefit them.

The way I see it is that people who join forums are more active and open-minded than the rest of the population that do not participate in online forums. Most people we try to wake up simply by talking to them often bash us and call us crazy conspiracy theorists, but I feel reaching out to people on the internet would be different. Posting a simple video to prove a point on a forum is easy. It's right there for people to see...all they have to do is click and watch. We don't have the luxury of evidence when talking to somebody face-to-face.

Since Obama has his cyber-warriors, commonly called trolls, we need to balance out their devious agenda. Those of us who work with the light need to also act as cyber warriors. Let us be our own cyber-warrior team. But instead of being rude, vicious, close-minded, and intrusive, we will bring forth information in a kind, loving, and unobtrusive way.

Obama => Cyber Warriors
Project Avalon => Cyber Truth Squad

[AutumnW]

It's hard not to laugh with resigned mirth. Whenever I hear people belabor the word, 'truth,' it tickles me now. Who and what is the enemy. Are they immoral amoral. Are they criminal, part of a system. Is there evil intent, or is it just the result that is evil. Are 'they' nasty initiates, an Illuminati or are they deranged strategists, an Illumi-nutty.

My own theory, for what it's worth, after soaking in this stuff for decades is there appears to be several conspiracies going on, some under one overarching rubric, and others under another umbrella--in terms of major players. There is competition among players as well as some degree of cooperation--but it is a fluid situation.

In a sense the ultimate answer might be right out Marshall Macluhan -- the medium is not only the message, but, in a sense the massage, too. It strokes our imaginations as we go insane trying to figure out who the ultimate controllers are. As we frantically type our thoughts into the machines, the machines are slowly developing the ability to become ensouled. By the time we have figured out who the human controllers are and how they operate they will have been safely absorbed by the machine. The reality always being a receding horizon that vanishes when we arrive.

So perhaps the truth is no more than one click away.

[Mike]

Posted by CurtisW (here)
I'd like to shift the focus of this thread to a discussion of where to go from here.

To the Mods, I'd like to request that the thread title be changed to: Beyond Spin and Bull***%: where do we go from here?

hey Curt,

my feeling is that there's really nowhere else to go from here

the forum works in cycles, and inevitably winds up at this point of frustration - which is usually a result of a sort of tiredness that comes with talking about something endlessly while never really *doing* anything about it. which usually results in an intellgent, constructive thread like this one, or a silly dramatic one. and inevitably someone will say someting to the effect of: "hey guys, lets stop wasting time on this and get back to doing our work." and i always sort of wonder: what *is* our work? what "work" do we actually do here?

and the truth is, we don't actually *do* anything, and we never will. the forum is what it is - nothing more and nothing less. it's kind of one dimensional. members will likely think this shallow, but the main reason i post and read here is for entertainment. to pass time. and it gives me an excuse to sit at the typer and share my thoughts. that's it. i don't really expect anything else from it, and i'm not sure we should.

we talk here. well...write here. i'm sorry to say this, but i dont think we have any real revolutionaries here. even if the perfect opportunity arose to affect reality in a 3d way, i reckon very few of us would leave the comfort of our warm desk chairs to march in the streets. i dont think there's anything too terribly rebellious about what we do here. we sit at the typer in the comfort of our warm homes and write. it's too *easy*!

spirituality is practiced in 3d, every day...when you give the homeless man a few bucks or hold the door open for the elderly lady. striving to be a better human being every day...i think that's where we go from here.

[Curt]

Posted by Chinaski (here)

Posted by CurtisW (here)
I'd like to shift the focus of this thread to a discussion of where to go from here.

To the Mods, I'd like to request that the thread title be changed to: Beyond Spin and Bull***%: where do we go from here?

hey Curt,

my feeling is that there's really nowhere else to go from here

the forum works in cycles, and inevitably winds up at this point of frustration - which is usually a result of a sort of tiredness that comes with talking about something endlessly while never really *doing* anything about it. which usually results in an intellgent, constructive thread like this one, or a silly dramatic one. and inevitably someone will say someting to the effect of: "hey guys, lets stop wasting time on this and get back to doing our work." and i always sort of wonder: what *is* our work? what "work" do we actually do here?

and the truth is, we don't actually *do* anything, and we never will. the forum is what it is - nothing more and nothing less. it's kind of one dimensional. members will likely think this shallow, but the main reason i post and read here is for entertainment. to pass time. and it gives me an excuse to sit at the typer and share my thoughts. that's it. i don't really expect anything else from it, and i'm not sure we should.

we talk here. well...write here. i'm sorry to say this, but i dont think we have any real revolutionaries here. even if the perfect opportunity arose to affect reality in a 3d way, i reckon very few of us would leave the comfort of our warm desk chairs to march in the streets. i dont think there's anything too terribly rebellious about what we do here. we sit at the typer in the comfort of our warm homes and write. it's too *easy*!

spirituality is practiced in 3d, every day...when you give the homeless man a few bucks or hold the door open for the elderly lady. striving to be a better human being every day...i think that's where we go from here.

I agree to an extent. We write about topics, and look at things. We're not revolutionaries. But I think revolt isn't the only next step available. It probably isn't a practical or desirable use of this format, honestly.

There are other things we could do.

A good first goal might be to write better about the topics that come our way--to weed out more bull****. Make PA the number one clearninghouse for solid information.

PA could become a hub for serious knowledge. It could be a network that actually shapes alt media discourse to make it better. It could attract more insiders and whistleblowers. That would bring in new intel and who knows where that could lead.

Plus, imagine if all the guys and gals out there with megaphones knew there was a place online that vetted the stuff they said, kept track and didn't let them get away with anything. That might have a huge effect.

There are millions reading what we're doing here. The potential exists for something more. I don't know what that is. Some will have a better idea, for sure.

But I don't think we need to settle on a monolithic goal to be effective. Everyone tending to their own areas of interest can work. Maybe just a committment to being better would help.

I think tightening up our process as a group would be a good next step. I have no idea where it would lead, but it would be interesting to find out.

[donk]

Maybe we can start with trying to move away from the hijacked term "truth". I also cringe when I hear it, especially in relation to the internet.

What we are really interested in is good information that is empowering to humans focused on love and service to others, which seems to be hidden and/or obscured by those in service to themselves or selfish/ignorant/deluded beings....at least in my reality as I understand it, that I hopefully share with others of similar mind?



(I'm not quite as hopeful that it's possible, but ideally it would be to take the term back. I do my best by trying to live it....truth always, right?!?!)

[araucaria]

Posted by Chinaski (here)
and the truth is, we don't actually *do* anything, and we never will. the forum is what it is - nothing more and nothing less. it's kind of one dimensional. members will likely think this shallow, but the main reason i post and read here is for entertainment. to pass time. and it gives me an excuse to sit at the typer and share my thoughts. that's it. i don't really expect anything else from it, and i'm not sure we should.

You’re welcome to be as shallow as you like, Chinaski, but that takes nothing away from the forum’s ability to provide a great deal of help to people who for whatever reason may have nowhere else to go to find a sympathetic ear, often backed by useful advice they can act upon in their 3D reality. It is a mistake to think that listening and talking is not doing: there are many professions that do nothing else. The doing versus talking debate is really a tired old non-issue.

You have experiencers here who are glad to have someone to believe them instead of calling them crazy. You have people with life-threatening illnesses needing advice and comfort. You even had Brian who took us through his final days and weeks. You have many people who are afraid of what the world is coming to and need reassuring without being made fun of.

And you also have a certain amount of ‘entertainment’. Give and take whatever you want, it’s all good. But know that there is a great deal more going on here than mere entertainment.

[Curt]

Posted by araucaria (here)
.....the forum’s ability to provide a great deal of help to people who for whatever reason may have nowhere else to go to find a sympathetic ear, often backed by useful advice they can act upon in their 3D reality. It is a mistake to think that listening and talking is not doing: there are many professions that do nothing else.

You have experiencers here who are glad to have someone to believe them instead of calling them crazy. You have people with life-threatening illnesses needing advice and comfort. You even had Brian who took us through his final days and weeks. You have many people who are afraid of what the world is coming to and need reassuring without being made fun of.

Avalon also serves the very important purpose you've mentioned above. And it shouldn't be taken lightly. It's a big part of what we're doing here. We are a community that provides support and friendship in dark, confusing times.

In this function, thankfully, we're already very solid.

I don't think anyone would really question that.

[donk]

Posted by araucaria (here)

Posted by Chinaski (here)
and the truth is, we don't actually *do* anything, and we never will. the forum is what it is - nothing more and nothing less. it's kind of one dimensional. members will likely think this shallow, but the main reason i post and read here is for entertainment. to pass time. and it gives me an excuse to sit at the typer and share my thoughts. that's it. i don't really expect anything else from it, and i'm not sure we should.

You’re welcome to be as shallow as you like, Chinaski, but that takes nothing away from the forum’s ability to provide a great deal of help to people who for whatever reason may have nowhere else to go to find a sympathetic ear, often backed by useful advice they can act upon in their 3D reality. It is a mistake to think that listening and talking is not doing: there are many professions that do nothing else. The doing versus talking debate is really a tired old non-issue.

You have experiencers here who are glad to have someone to believe them instead of calling them crazy. You have people with life-threatening illnesses needing advice and comfort. You even had Brian who took us through his final days and weeks. You have many people who are afraid of what the world is coming to and need reassuring without being made fun of.

And you also have a certain amount of ‘entertainment’. Give and take whatever you want, it’s all good. But know that there is a great deal more going on here than mere entertainment.

Great point...and I'd especially like highlight a very significant (to me) thing: This place is a draw to some of the most damaged, vulnerable people you could think of...most of which (like myself) have little-to-no understanding of how dangerous tainted information can be.

It may be all fun and games to you (and sometimes me), but most take stuff seriously. Emotional attachments to certain ideas can lead down dark or damaging paths. While we are all responsible for the information we consume, should responsibly discern it, and would always be best to keep an open mind...there seem to be beings that (for a multitude of reasons) choose to manipulate individuals' and groups' mindsets...

...or I could be completely wrong, but what would hurt to heed this advice? STAY MINDFUL...

One other piece advice that has served me: constantly asking myself "what is the purpose of my presence?", and finding a way to find out the same from others...

[soleil]

Posted by RMorgan (here)
Hey Curt,

I'm with you, mate.

However, in fact, the forum is in a much better shape than it used to be a few years ago. It doesn't mean it's in a good shape either..It's just better than it used to be in terms of the discussion and publication of obvious delusional or fake news



People are finally realizing that they simply cannot trust all those story-tellers that plague the Alternative Media.

I'm not sure if you noticed, but the forum is very slow currently. People are not posting as frequently as they used to and obvious disinformation topics are not gaining traction anymore.

If you ask me, the forum is slow because once people learn to discern the bullshilt, there's really not much else to talk about in the Alternative Media universe.

Really, people are saying enough is enough. They are not buying it anymore. They're finally seeing the Alternative Media for what it is, or what it has become: Controlled Opposition.

Honestly, I don't know if the Alternative Media started as controlled opposition or if it was gradually corrupted along the years, but I know it's almost completely corrupted now.

I don't know if the main Alternative Media characters are mentors or just being used as pawns in this game either, but I know that, deliberately or not, the way they've been careless delivering fake news and the lack of proper verification of their "sources" is rapidly demolishing whatever's left of the its genuine and legitimate values, if they aren't all gone already.

Many people have been complaining to me via private messages, along the last months, that the forum is currently boring...It's not good to be boring, but it's much better to be boring but truthful than super-exciting and full of shilt.

The thing is, the truth was never supposed to be a constant source of entertainment and excitement, as the Alternative Media is pushing it to be.

Being a truth seeker is much closer to be a wearing, tiring and even tedious process. There's not really a new ground-breaking interview to be published every week...There aren't enough legitimate whistle-blowers to be interviewed every month...There isn't new key top-secret information to be discussed every day.

It's a good sign that you're tired of it all, brother. Once you learn to see things for what they are and realize that you actually have little to none clues about what's really going on in the world, it's natural to get tired...

The fact is that, ultimately, most of us don't have a clue. I have some suspicions, of course, but if you ask about my conclusions, after all these years as a truth-seeker, I admit I have nothing concrete to tell you...Yes...It's tiring.

Cheers,

Raf.

i personally feel happy when nothings going on here, (ie, no, posts that cause worry)... basically i figure PA would be on top of anything new, so when nothings new, im not worried. i do enjoy your posts, they are always very level headed and intelligent.



i do think though, that we are seeing too many threads of videos from random news around the world that were posted on YT, and less about things that truly matter. basically, all in all, were,at a crux of waiting to,see what happens next and rolling with the changes that there really isnt anything else to,add except to fill in more blanks.

[Mike]

Posted by araucaria (here)

Posted by Chinaski (here)
and the truth is, we don't actually *do* anything, and we never will. the forum is what it is - nothing more and nothing less. it's kind of one dimensional. members will likely think this shallow, but the main reason i post and read here is for entertainment. to pass time. and it gives me an excuse to sit at the typer and share my thoughts. that's it. i don't really expect anything else from it, and i'm not sure we should.

You’re welcome to be as shallow as you like, Chinaski, but that takes nothing away from the forum’s ability to provide a great deal of help to people who for whatever reason may have nowhere else to go to find a sympathetic ear, often backed by useful advice they can act upon in their 3D reality. It is a mistake to think that listening and talking is not doing: there are many professions that do nothing else. The doing versus talking debate is really a tired old non-issue.

You have experiencers here who are glad to have someone to believe them instead of calling them crazy. You have people with life-threatening illnesses needing advice and comfort. You even had Brian who took us through his final days and weeks. You have many people who are afraid of what the world is coming to and need reassuring without being made fun of.

And you also have a certain amount of ‘entertainment’. Give and take whatever you want, it’s all good. But know that there is a great deal more going on here than mere entertainment.

correct on all counts! (sort of)

and those are all good things. however...

we are all already aware that the forum serves those functions. comfort, advice and reassurance are great, sure. but this isn't the "doing" I was referring to.

I understand Curt's frustration entirely. and empathize with it. but this is a clarion call we've heard many times. it goes something like this: the forum is great...but now what? and I'm basically saying, there is no "what". this is it. what you see is what you get.

I wasn't marginalizing the forum. I think it's the best of it's kind, by far. but just like there will always be crime in cities, there will also always be crap on the forum. not too much we can do about it. it's ebbs n flows. for a while you'll be bombarded by nonsense, and then the storm will clear and sanity will prevail for a bit. and I think that's very ok. it's natural. too much of any one thing *is* a bad thing, maybe even with truth! (if that truth is boring) as I said before, boredom, in my opinion, is the worst disease of all. I am not a man who deliberately seeks pain or drama, but a bit of relativity is always required in 3d if we are to achieve perspective. if we don't know how lousy the forum can be at times, we'll never know how good it can be either. and so on...

I do like what Curt said about writing better, tighter. about being more interesting! interesting goes a long way with me, even if the material is dubious. personality does too. as does warmth and humor. humanity. without it we're just a bunch of robots stuck on 'repeat'. we have tons of intelligent, well-intentioned people here. talented people. but there are very few I get excited about reading, if I'm being honest. in an environment like this, originality is such an important thing, maybe the most important thing. most days i'll scan the threads, read a few posts, and i'll find myself screaming (internally): "somebody f#cking say something interesting!" and it's not so much that the topic isn't interesting, it's that it's *not being spoken about in an interesting way*. it's an important distinction to make.

so if I'm reading Curt right, he seems to be saying: step up your game!!! and I support that sentiment entirely.