[–] massiveprivilege 0 points 1 point 1 point (+1|-0) ago
Without ads(money) lot of the bad elements on the internet would disappear. People would start bringing content because they are passionate about it and not because they are paid to do it. Reddit went to shit because they are preparing the site to be more "ad friendly". Ad-block all the way.
[–] omegletrollz ago
When watching e-sports in YouTube the ads will make the video duration show when they start, and this will often tell you who is the winner is ahead of time. In this case I consider the ads to be unethical because they are ruining my experience half-way through, to the point I might as well not watch e-sports on YouTube anymore. So I installed an AdBlocker for YouTube.
I don't think ever in my life I've clicked an online ad unless it was by mistake. So would it be unethical for me to block them? Probably not, if I'm not interested in buying the products or even looking at them. Anyway I choose not to install an ad-blocker (but some other extensions I have might affect ads indirectly).
My point is - ads should be relevant and interesting. The fact that people actually want to block them goes to show that they are the opposite - often malicious, unrelated and forced upon you. Would you think that protecting yourself from a thief/robber is unethical? What's the difference, if we're talking in abstract terms?
If you're watching TV it wouldn't be unethical to turn the TV off while the ads are playing and turn it on 2-3 minutes later to see if the show is back on. The advertises are paying for their space there because they want to, you're not doing them any favors and you don't owe them anything.
Would the Internet change a lot if every browser came with a built-in adblock? Maybe? Probably? I'm not even sure but I say bring on the change, maybe it will be a better Internet afterwards.
[–] WirDyt6 ago (edited ago)
I have no obligation to consume ads on any media, radio, TV, CD, DVD, internet. I have not contracted to view them. I have not agreed to view them. I can avoid viewing them in any way I want. I can turn my head, leave the room, or skip them, or flip channels, or not download them, or prevent them from playing or executing.
I have no moral or ethical obligation to the advertisers. They may exercise their right to free speech.
But, they do have a moral and ethical obligation to me to not interfere with my enjoyment of life, which includes not being bothered by ads, If they do interfere with my pursuit of happiness, by forcing me to watch ads or download them, I will take my business elsewhere.