Posts by placidhawk21

I stumbled upon this by total accident

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BJge...aAlSamra-Topic

I just finished listening through the whole album. It’s solid work—you can tell the guys really have a grasp on their rhythm—but man, there is one specific track on here that absolutely hits different!

Ethan Gomez82 said:The tension between the individual and society is an endless, frustrating cycle. Sometimes it’s blatant; other times, it’s buried under the surface. As social animals, we need community to survive—it's an inescapable framework. But here’s the catch: one person's interests almost always clash with everyone else's. We use politics—in its broadest sense—to manage this mess, essentially suppressing the friction to keep it at a manageable level. This dynamic plays out everywhere, from small families to the entire United States. When there's a push for tighter social integration, you start seeing more bullying, marginalization, and outright aggression. On the flip side, individual resistance builds up until the whole thing threatens to boil over, forcing leaders to "vent the steam." Conversely, during prosperous times, that pressure drops because people actually have the luxury to walk away from mandatory, frustrating social ties (like you might see in Scandinavia, for instance). While this makes for a low-conflict society, it creates a different kind of danger: social bonds become loose and fragile, leaving us vulnerable and lacking the cohesion needed to withstand external shocks.

I have to disagree with that take. Living among others isn't actually a requirement for survival.

Take certain indigenous tribes in the American West, for instance. To truly master solitude, one might undergo twenty-five years of isolation just to bond deeply enough with the wilderness to eventually pass down ancestral wisdom through nature itself.

There are plenty of other cases where people manage quite well on their own. You see folks living in remote caves or deep in the backcountry, surviving for hundreds of years in total seclusion, left entirely to their own devices and their own consciousness without any community at all...

rustydrifter10 said:

placidhawk21 As if I haven't heard this before! It’s like we're listening to the same broken record on loop.
Look, we really need to wrap our heads around the fact that Alternative is meant to be a sanctuary for people who actually think alike—a space for those of us on the same wavelength. If someone is looking for those rigid, official, "by-the-book" discussions, they can go ahead and head over to physics, natural science, or political science departments. This is our corner.

Look, let me be crystal clear about this: none of these PDF threads are meant exclusively for people who think exactly like everyone else. We aren't running some kind of echo chamber here, and you won't find anyone being banned from any part of this forum just because their views don't fit into some imaginary spectrum of "acceptable" opinions. That's just not how we operate. However, you do have to keep in mind that every single PDF has its own specific vibe and topic, and some of them come with their own little set of internal guidelines that help shape the flow and boundaries of the discussion. It’s all about keeping the conversation productive within those specific spaces.

Sophia Ramos5 As if I didn't hear that already! It’s like we’re all just going in circles sometimes, isn't it? You say one thing, and it feels like everyone is just repeating the same old tired lines without actually stopping to think about what they mean. I've been sitting here thinking about this exact point, and honestly, it's a bit exhausting trying to keep up with the constant back-and-forth when we aren't even on the same page.
Hey there, supermoderator! Just checking in—any word on when that poll regarding removing Carol Lopez23 as a moderator is actually going to go live?

Look, there aren't going to be any polls about moving people around or appointing new moderators. That’s strictly an administrative decision, and that isn't changing anytime soon. However, that doesn't mean you guys have to stay quiet! Please, feel free to speak your mind—whether you want to vent, share a suggestion, or just give us your honest opinion on how things are running. I'm all ears.

Just hold on a second... I mean, if things are already set up this way where I could get banned just for mentioning aura on PZ...

In reality, even the supermoderators aren't interested in helping the users here. It’s so obvious that even a blind man could spot the alternative thinkers in the group, yet everyone seems to want to swap out the alternative moderators.

It's nothing but twisted words and pure irrationality, but what can you do? Somehow, it’s always those exact types of people who end up in charge!

Linda Harris44 said:Here’s yet another perfect example of how briskbison55 loves to stir the pot—twisting people's words just to get a rise out of everyone. ☕

It seems like the moderators actually enjoy watching us alternative thinkers get harassed. Let's be honest, most people find the topics here pretty trivial anyway.

If those trolls aren't purged from the Alternative section, and if we don't see some changes in the current moderation team, then all these complaints are essentially shouting into the void.

Adding a third moderator would likely just create more friction with the two currently in charge. We need to realize that the Alternative board should be a space for like-minded individuals. If someone wants to argue official dogmas, they can head over to the physics, natural science, or politics sections. Consequently, the Alternative board needs moderators who actually align with its spirit—not people who clearly don't belong here. It’s certainly not "alternative" when Ryan Gomez is pushing his agenda, nor is it helpful when people like Carol Lopez23 ruin things for those genuinely seeking alternative perspectives. Trolls have effectively poisoned almost every thread through sheer harassment. I'm referring primarily to the names mentioned earlier, though other trolls jump in constantly to derail discussions meant for like-minded folks—all with the blessing of BOTH current Alternative moderators!

By that logic, I’d love to share my "unnatural" opinions (according to them) over in the natural science section too!
I think Zachary Mendoza2 just lost his mind because I brought up aura in the PZ section.

If you can talk against everything the Alternative section stands for and claim official dogma is the only truth right here, then "alternative" views should be allowed in the natural science section as well. Otherwise, it's nothing but blatant discrimination.

Super-mods, if you don't fix this, don't go thinking you're doing a great job. In reality, you are 👎

From now on, I’ll have to start taking screenshots before and after I hit post. They’re just deleting posts without any explanation... I need to keep my own records, much like how you’d want a paper trail when an electric company sends you a random bill claiming last year's payment never went through. I want my proof! 😁

I don't know who is behind this, but they should be ashamed of themselves!

Now I'm wasting at least half an hour of typing for nothing, especially since this isn't even the first time my posts have been wiped away without cause. It simply isn't right!

So, apparently, you aren't allowed to mention auras in natural science anymore?!!

By that logic, if we were truly running an Alternative forum, they shouldn't tolerate anything that doesn't look "alternative," nor should they allow anything that actually supports classic dogmas!

To put it bluntly, the moderators over at Alternative aren't doing their jobs properly, and it seems to be the same story across other similar boards... though, of course, there are exceptions! 🙂

I’m actually quite pleased that Elizabeth Jackson brought me into this discussion... I really should have reached out to the top brass sooner. 😁

But perhaps it’s because those high-level executives are the type who simply aren't interested in anything beyond their own narrow scope. 😁

When I first joined this site, I read through all the rules and everything sounded wonderful on paper, but of course, achieving that in practice is much harder than it looks.

Naturally, moderators shouldn't be taking sides, but this isn't some sporting event where staying impartial is easy; once you start leaning one way or the other in certain threads, the balance is lost.

It’s also the case that on the alternative boards, they run topics that really belong in politics, sociology, natural sciences, or history... and they put them front and center. But frankly, who cares about all these fringe theories? Everything is right there on Wikipedia, and the real truth is what we were taught in our American schools... people just don't want to look at society as a whole planet.

I certainly support removing certain individuals from specific threads—you know, banning access—and I would honestly file a complaint against both moderators on the alternative board, given how much chaos is allowed to fester there.

And let's be honest, that chaos always seems to tilt in favor of officially accepted opinions on the alternative boards. That’s not how it should work, and someone ought to notice. Maybe they should post an official call for applications for anyone willing to moderate the alternative section, or whatever the standard procedure is.

Regardless, I wonder if they even bother reading every single post these days?

Even if they do, they could be doing a much better job. The alternative section is pure mayhem compared to the rest of the forum, and fixing that would be easy if only the moderators were actually competent.

Thousands of years ago, in the early forums of history, not just any random person could get a vote. A council had to review everything, and a person couldn't just step up without proving themselves to their elders. These moderators over on the alternative side are a total disaster.

It's clear that even for the big bosses, deciding who to pick is a tough call, and it's hard to make everyone happy. But that's the nature of management... sometimes you just have to make the hard calls.

It’s not really about good versus evil... it’s more about heavy versus light energies.

But we’ve gone a bit too deep into the weeds here..

There isn't just light; there is darkness too. What I mean is that we have been introduced to both "good" and "evil"—or rather, those lighter and heavier energetic frequencies.

The most vital part, however, is that we possess the capacity to realize this for ourselves... let me walk you through it..

Adam Alvarez said:Spirituality and money—for many, they just don't mix. You're taught in church that there's more virtue in being poor than in being wealthy, that spiritual growth requires modesty, submission, and suffering. This mindset breeds nothing but envy and resentment, leading people to generalize that anyone with money must be a thief, while someone who can't even afford basic groceries is somehow more honest. It’s one of those lies wrapped in a kernel of truth, and it's incredibly damaging.

Money itself isn't inherently good or evil, nor does it actually change who you are; it simply amplifies what is already inside you. If you are stingy and selfish while you're struggling, you’ll only become more so once you strike it rich. The reality is that material wealth isn't the problem—it's the attachment to it. In a household struggling to make ends meet, even God goes hungry; or to put it another way, if you are constantly consumed by the stress of paying the utility bills, you simply cannot focus on spiritual practice. A person with a peaceful mind finds contentment whether they are poor or wealthy, whereas a restless mind suffers regardless of their bank balance. That is the heart of the matter. If you clutter your life with useless gadgets and luxuries that you worry about maintaining, you lack peace of mind, making all that money functionally useless because you are still suffering. Very few people possess the self-control required to avoid the trap of becoming enslaved to luxury. Once you become attached, you are essentially living in hell, because you start looking for happiness in fleeting objects instead of within yourself. When those things eventually slip away, you suffer because you identified your worth with them. This is why the rule holds true: the less you own, the more satisfied you can be. Why? Because you aren't stressed about acquiring things, you aren't preoccupied with maintaining them, and you aren't paralyzed by the fear of losing them. Living a simpler life offers much more internal peace. The true metric of success isn't the amount of cash or possessions you accumulate, but strictly the amount of joy you experience. A restless soul won't find joy even in mansions and yachts, just as a person will never find peace as long as they seek happiness in external objects.

We are here to learn, to experience, and to truly feel. Because of that, I believe that in this day and age, money can actually support one's spiritual journey, though eventually, everyone learns that money isn't the ultimate goal—it’s just a tool that helps along the way.
In order for the spirit to evolve, the physical body has to live through its experiences on this planet. And let's be honest, it's easier to navigate life with some cash in your pocket; it’s like saying a blind person doesn't benefit from a cane as much as someone with sight. Of course, it all depends on how you spend that money and how it makes you feel—how you process the experience and what lessons you take away from it.
Nothing is truly "unnecessary"; it really just comes down to what each individual needs to learn right now.
If money had no purpose, then nothing would have any point, and nothing would ever happen...🙄 but meaning is found in everything around us, including money. Even when you don't have it, meaning arrives (often accompanied by a little bit of "mindfulness" or "purpose")!😁

Cheers!

Benjamin Taylor6 said:73. LIFE WITHOUT STRUGGLE

The one who tries too hard to be brave—well, they usually end up losing everything.

But the one who isn't afraid to be vulnerable? They actually seem to find what they're looking for.

There’s a certain duality to it—something good, yet something inherently tricky about it.

It’s almost as if even the universe itself plays favorites sometimes.

But honestly, who can say why that is?

Even a seasoned philosopher would tell you that's a question far too deep to answer easily.

The natural way of things is to win without the constant fight,

to receive rewards without needing an explanation, to attract what we need without making a formal request,

and to see things fall into place without a rigid five-year plan.

The cosmic web is vast.

And even though its threads might look coarse, it doesn't let a single thing slip through.

Lao Tse

It isn't a bad passage, but this specific part leaves even a wise man scratching his head; it sort of dodges a direct answer just to pivot to something else...

It’s hard to put my thoughts into words right now, so I think I'll save the rest for next time—I'm feeling a bit drained just wrestling with this one.

The way of heaven is victory without struggle,
reward without explanation, attraction without invitation,
and fulfillment without planning.

This section is the key to our next step toward a concrete answer, which is just a few doors down the hall.😁

Best regards!

That is a fascinating question to ponder!

When you really stop to think about the origins of everything—even our own souls—it likely all traces back to a Creator. 🙂

He is present in everything, woven into our very thoughts and ideas. It makes you wonder, though... how much credit can an individual actually take when every single gift was bestowed by the Maker? Hmm.

Sometimes it feels as if this whole grand spectacle was created simply because He was bored and wanted some entertainment. 😁

Yet, despite all that, we were granted free will. It still feels worth putting in the effort, even if we have to laugh bravely at the idea of a fixed destiny—especially since fate has been predicted and proven right so many times before.

If destiny is indeed set in stone, then free will might just be an illusion, much like being told "you are free" here in the USA. 😁

And yet, you can still feel the weight of your own agency deep down during a moment of pure decision-making. For instance, look what happens when you give a small child total autonomy and just see where they lead you. 🙂

It’s a profound question, and honestly, I don't think we are quite mature enough to provide a definitive answer to something so heavy. :P

In a different era, a question like this would have been answered with poetry—something wise, slightly nonsensical, and perhaps as inscrutable as the Creator Himself. 🙂