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Re:Congress Is Trying to Roll Back Internet Privacy Protections by a3n on Tuesday March 07, 2017 @09:11PM (#13817234)
Actually yes, yes we do. We enjoy the internet that we have, that is partially enabled by ads. Even those of us that block ads (freeloaders, if you will), enjoy the internet that's supported by ads that other people don't block.
Re:Congress Is Trying to Roll Back Internet Privacy Protections by FullMtlAlcoholc on Wednesday March 08, 2017 @12:06AM (#13818050)
Actually, no, now I don't. I despise ads for reasons not least of which is that they are a form of insidious psychological conditioning.

I'd much rather have the predominant funding model be similar to services like patreon. Netflix has shown that you don't need ads, ads everywhere to produce quality media in this age, just as premium cable did in the past. I'd rather have a few channels or sites of quality than hundreds of pieces of crap

Re:Congress Is Trying to Roll Back Internet Privacy Protections by SophosQ on Friday March 10, 2017 @08:38AM (#13838453)
If such a model is to be protected from the dynamics of a free market economy (Higher demand driving prices higher) it requires significant government intervention, at the very least, analogous to the metro system in certain cities, to ensure that the different strata of society have access to it without breaking their backs. However, as with most non-essential consumables, the model is susceptible to privatisation whose motivation is often, solely the maximisation of profit. Perhaps a lobbying group analogous to the NRA could help counter such overtures for privatisation by the industry.
Re:Congress Is Trying to Roll Back Internet Privacy Protections by thebaer on Wednesday March 08, 2017 @01:55PM (#13822592)
Right. The advertising-supported internet was good for a while, in my mind, only so that we could see just how bad it can be for the end user, and we can move on to better business models.

> I'd rather have a few channels or sites of quality than hundreds of pieces of crap

100% agreed