perhaps there's a case for a distinct 'theoretical' thread category

I'd have thought most threads here are full of "theoretical" stuff. But I guess you mean something more than that. Personally, just as you get bored by discussions about chalk and English Heritage I get very easily bored by any mention of "energies". I spose we're both entitled to be bored but not entitled to complain.

I'll answer that question when you've seen the entrance and forecourt of the Toothells long barrow ...

Sometimes the forum does bemuse me a bit because 99% of people here are essentially on the same side - they're bothered about what happens to the stones. Which is not to say I don't welcome a bit of healthy debate. But sometimes, when opinions are so far apart that it just ends up with strips being torn off people, it might be better not to get involved in the first place. (this from someone who got so cross this weekend during a pointless political argument of that type, that they'd happily never speak to the person again. So I admit I'm very bad at walking away).

Otherwise, I'm here on tma because there's nowhere else like it. And it's turned what was an interest into a bit of an obsession - and I have to get my fix (I can understand your 'yoga' thing, Wideford, and I am motivated by getting the information out there.. but for me there's also an addictive thing of rooting it out). I'd rather be out at the sites, because it's experiencing them first hand that's the main thing, and finding your own understanding and experiencing them in the present. But it's nice to go equipped with what people have thought about them before, it's all part of the experience of the place.

anyway I ought to go out and get some real life on this bank holiday - visit some places in person. get off the sofa, Rhiannon.

Me, I like history, prehistory and stones and religion strangely enough, though I won't be drawn into Dawkin ;).. the way everything blends into each other. Cope's book about the sacred nature of place as well, gods, mythologies, the ultimate mysterious nature of stones because we can never really know the truth - the fun is in the guessing - I don't take anything too seriously, if a thread is boring I don't read it.....
One thing I would like more of though, is photographs of the landscape round the sites, a larger picture of what is happening.....

I always had a interest in stones but with the help of sites like TMA & BRAC i was able to learn more and gain a passion for cup and ring carvings especially. I had hoped that with the knowledge i had gained i could pass on what i learned to others, mainly through photographs of the places i visited. Web sites change, people change, we cannot all see eye to eye on every subject, i have met a few folks from the site, and have liked them all, hell i am sure if i was to meet the eds i might like atleast a couple of them.

Check out my profile, I think it covers most things.
However, having been on this site for sometime now I have been inspired by the amazing photo, the RA which initially I didn't have much interest in but now facinates me. All in all I am really pleased I found this place and hope to meet some of you one day.
On the subject off differing opinions, we should remember we are all entitled to those opinions and should accept other people's will differ. Healthy debate is a good thing and this is the place for it but respect should be paramount........but I do enjoy a good healthy, difference of opinion, type of debate ;o)

Iv'e tried to stop but I can't.
I came to ancient places from three different directions.

1. Ive always loved a good mystery, anything from raining fish to the ark of the covenant

2.Iv'e always loved going to the countryside, seeing the beauty of our little island, ever since family holidays when I were a lad

3. Number 1 lead me to ancient history, and here I am.

But I'd have to say that Copes big orange book was a real eye opener for me
I just had no idea there was so much left out there, so off we went to Arbor low and that was it, hooked, line and sinker. But this place, this website just blew me away, so many people just like me (more or less)
The database of sites is awsome and if I want to go somewhere I always come here first

Lovin' it
Postie

I've always loved History - the whole continuum really, right up to the modern day - the sense of awe and wonder at all those people stretching out behind and (hopefully) ahead of me is almost overwhelming, deafening even (if that makes sense). And I do love to analyse and interpret historical events/archaeological evidence as I believe it is all contestable. If you add a love of myth, legend and folklore, and the fact that I grew up just 15 minutes walk from Stonehenge, you can probably see where I'm coming from.
I do think that part of my own politicisation came from the Stonehenge free festival and the govt/police reaction - all the sites we love do exist in the here and now, and they do belong to us all - so I guess that informs some of my opinions too.
Although I'm a sceptic I quite enjoy some of the more "esoteric" contributions we get as I'm very interested in the culture that produces that kind of stuff (I mean this from the perspective of someone standing outside of all that) and I really think if some of us didn't have such a violent reaction to all that, we'd probably have far less in the way of long acrimonious threads. =;o)
Finally, I always was a big fan of Copes music, and I was really pleased and intrigued when I discovered that he was really into a lot of stuff I liked - I'd been on the whole neolithic trip since I was a kid, and I really thought nobody else really cared about all that. It's great to read all the contributions here (and over at Meg Portal) and realise that so many other people are into this and have so much to share.

I came here some years ago after buying the book as a comfort buy. I stay for the kicks.

Also as I give short shrift to any irrational or unprovable beliefs, those threads really don't bother me cos I ignore them. Oh and I care about the nature of chalk infill because if I don't, who else will... Quis custodiet ipsos custodes?

Read the book.

Liked the book.

Found the site.

Liked the site.

Realised I could share my experiences/photos/pubs with like-minded others.

Also saw that the South Downs were looking a little absent for my liking.

Started to correct that.