Also, it’s a common misconception that large tech companies like Google and Meta sell your data. They don’t. The data is what makes the company valuable - they’re not going to give away their competitive advantage. Instead, advertisers can target people based on the data. The advertisers never actually see the data nor exactly who their ads are reaching (it’s just aggregate anonymized data).
On Google and Facebook, even individuals can use the same tools that large advertisers use to list their ads, and see exactly what they see.
Using an ad blocker
the internet is insufferable without it, and many people (including some IT people) seem to not even mind it. it blows my mind.
Even with an ad blocker it’s insufferable though. Every time a page ask me to sign up for their stupid newsletter I want to punch a hole in my screen.
ublock origin has a few lists named “annoyances” or something that arent enabled by default.
enabling then gets rid of almost all of them and i cant live without it anymore.
this includes cookie popups and all the miscellaneous stuff they throw at you.
I don’t use an ad blocker. I do mind ads but I also want to adhere to the social contact: I subject myself to ads for the free content.
we pay with our data already
Your data really isn’t worth that much.
Also, it’s a common misconception that large tech companies like Google and Meta sell your data. They don’t. The data is what makes the company valuable - they’re not going to give away their competitive advantage. Instead, advertisers can target people based on the data. The advertisers never actually see the data nor exactly who their ads are reaching (it’s just aggregate anonymized data).
On Google and Facebook, even individuals can use the same tools that large advertisers use to list their ads, and see exactly what they see.
exactly why i dont mind blocking ads.
not a business model i wouldnt mind not supporting and companies i wouldnt mind not depending on.
and it is used for nefarious political purposes that are undemocratic at best.
Hot take: If you don’t like ads, then don’t use services/sites that are funded by ads?
do you think i want to use facebook or linkedin or the likes?
i use them with an adblocker. best balance to me.
Apparently it’s up to 1/3 of people using some form of adblocking now!