Opinion of the Atlas Forum

[FEMA Camp Administrator]

It needed to be asked. Thoughts?

[Mechaman]

LOL

[Dereich]

A wretched hive of True Leftism and other types of stupidity

[TheDeadFlagBlues]

The best forum because of its intimate community. Obviously awful for this reason as well.

[Sol]

The best forum because of its intimate community. Obviously awful for this reason as well.

This, essentially.

The Atlas is crazy insular. We're kind of hard to find for whatever reason and we don't get sudden streams of new posters like other forums- It's telling that you'll often see "Opinion of x" threads about new members before they've even made 20 posts. This, in turn, has fostered a very intimate atmosphere, including all that is celebrated about this place. But the insularity has led to kind of an abrasive culture (I think partially fostered by the various mines) which can sometimes (though not always) be problematic.

I think a bigger problem is this though- The Atlas attracts a very homogenous group of posters- young, white, middle class-upper class men. Thus, it often suffers from a lack of diversity of viewpoints (underrepresented ones include female/feminist views, and to a much lesser extent, social conservatism), which means that someone with views which challenge their worldview tend to cause an explosion (some major explosion causes in the past include Sandra Fluke and trans* rights).

Still, overall FF. I wouldn't be here if I didn't think so.

[windjammer]

FF (intimate community)

[H.E. VOLODYMYR ZELENKSYY]

A cesspool of degenerate whores (or so I believe the saying goes) and Nathan.

[Fmr. Pres. Duke]

I think it's a unique place for a number of reasons, but I'd hate to be a new member here. It seems like it's a bit difficult to "break in." One slip up and we'll be making an "Opinion of" thread and define you immediately.

[Grumpier Than Uncle Joe]

I think it's a unique place for a number of reasons, but I'd hate to be a new member here. It seems like it's a bit difficult to "break in." One slip up and we'll be making an "Opinion of" thread and define you immediately.

New members are automatic "socks" until they prove they're not.  The Forum was much more welcoming back in 2005

[Marokai Backbeat]

The best forum because of its intimate community. Obviously awful for this reason as well.

[DemPGH]

This place is certainly awesome despite some of the b.s. I found it looking for old electoral maps (North / South plus how the West voted as it expanded) and then I found the forum and haven't looked at any maps in ages, it seems like.

The fact that there is a very manageable number of regular posters is a great asset.

[All Along The Watchtower]

I think it's a unique place for a number of reasons, but I'd hate to be a new member here. It seems like it's a bit difficult to "break in." One slip up and we'll be making an "Opinion of" thread and define you immediately.

New members are automatic "socks" until they prove they're not.  The Forum was much more welcoming back in 2005

For a split second there, I thought you said "New members are autistic..." 

[Grumpier Than Uncle Joe]

I think it's a unique place for a number of reasons, but I'd hate to be a new member here. It seems like it's a bit difficult to "break in." One slip up and we'll be making an "Opinion of" thread and define you immediately.

New members are automatic "socks" until they prove they're not.  The Forum was much more welcoming back in 2005

For a split second there, I thought you said "New members are autistic..."  

I get in enough trouble for what I really say.  

[Paul Kemp]

I think it's a unique place for a number of reasons, but I'd hate to be a new member here. It seems like it's a bit difficult to "break in." One slip up and we'll be making an "Opinion of" thread and define you immediately.

New members are automatic "socks" until they prove they're not.  The Forum was much more welcoming back in 2005

For a split second there, I thought you said "New members are autistic..." 

I mean...

[Kaine for Senate '18]

This place is certainly awesome despite some of the b.s. I found it looking for old electoral maps (North / South plus how the West voted as it expanded) and then I found the forum and haven't looked at any maps in ages, it seems like.

The fact that there is a very manageable number of regular posters is a great asset.

Essentially my story as well, nearly 6.5 years ago.

[Eraserhead]

It's gone downhill fast thanks to everyone trying to have everyone else censored or banned lately.

[Filuwaúrdjan]

It's not what it was. There are little sections that are very good though, so that's something.

[Atlas Has Shrugged]

Anyone who votes HP should leave. But sadly, many of those cynics are so detached from reality that Atlas is all they have.

[Sol]

Oh, btw, I think rating the Atlas by boards would be more interesting.

[Franknburger]

Oh, btw, I think rating the Atlas by boards would be more interesting.

Exactly. I think there is a great international crowd - I came and stayed here for the International Elections board. I also enjoy international sports, especially football (soccer) chat, and some of the things going on in the Political Geography board.  The Economics board isn't bad, but could do with a few more quality contributors.

When it comes to US issues, it sometimes gets a bit banal to me. There are many qualified US posters here, but from time to time they seem to become drowned by the prevailing high-school debate club atmosphere. That perception, however, may change when its US election season again. [Don't get me wrong - there are a number of youngsters here with quality contributions. There's also nothing wrong with the Forum being a playground for other youngsters, but its not what it is making it interesting to me].

I miss some of the "intelligent trolls" - barfbag or opebo. They spiced up things a bit. Apparently, my tolerance goes beyond the forum mainstream. While I don't think "prude brood" is an appropriate term (the move against opebo came from a variety of directions and reasons), I personally wish for a more laid-back attitude when it comes to dealing with provocation and differing opinions.

New members having to prove themselves? Yes, of course, but that's  happening in every community. This place is in essence about maps and election forecasts/results. When you are able to provide input on both, its not too hard to get accepted. If you mistake the Forum for a generic political discussion board - well....

[Consciously Unconscious]

Well I'm certainly glad that I found the forum.  FF, one of the best. 

[Joe Biden 2020]

It's a Freedom Forum.  Many things have gone down hill in the past 10 years, but there are still many things  going for it.  I don't visit the International boards very often and instead spend much of my time in the Forum Community (shocker!), Off Topic, and the various Stateside election boards.

[SWE]

Freedom forum

[ElectionsGuy]

Freedom Forum, otherwise I wouldn't be here.

Oh, btw, I think rating the Atlas by boards would be more interesting.

Should I (or someone else) do that? I've thought of that at one point or another too, I just didn't know if it would belong here or in the off-topic board.

[Keystone Phil]

A shell of itself compared to when I joined nearly ten years ago (The Golden Era). Seriously, the brats around here have no idea what they missed. I remember the genuine excitement and classic characters of this place from 2004-2007ish. Those were the days.