Not OP but anecdotal experience: Every once in a while I'll go to a store and wander the isles. I see things that I find interesting, but most of the time I don't buy them. Sometimes I think to myself: I would love to know more about topic X. So I use search engines and forums to look for more information on topic X. I happily filter ads because there is no net positive benefit from them for my life. I get excited about things without them, find things I need without them, and have no trouble with either.