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> People do want to learn more about what they're interested in, but I can't think of a less honest source than an advertiser. The opposite side of this is pe

> People do want to learn more about what they're interested in, but I can't think of a less honest source than an advertiser. The opposite side of this is people that think ads are the worst things ever. I really don't understand what the big deal is. It's not like a random ad is going to brainwash me into buying something I never wanted in the first place. Ads being too distracting (e.g. flashing, videos) and a malware source is a different story though.

dingaling 10y ago
> It's not like a random ad is going to brainwash me into buying something I never wanted in the first place Absolutely they do, that's their entire purpose. It has various names such as 'acquired need', a prime example that gained universal acceptance being fabric conditioner. Sugared water is another prime example, I'm sure you can name some brands and mentally picture their bottles lying in a bed of ice cubes.
- sosborn 10y ago
  You are right that this is there intention, but it is not always the effect. Think about SPAM. Have you ever fallen for any of those emails?
  - falcolas 10y ago
    People fall for them all the time. Most of the more poorly worded ones are actually trying to filter out intelligent users, since they will end up being a waste of the spammer's time.
    - sosborn 10y ago
      Yes, some people do. That doesn't mean that everyone does, which was the point that seanwilson was making.
dredmorbius 10y ago
Jerry Mander, Four Arguments for the Elimination of Television http://www.worldcat.org/title/four-arguments-for-the-elimination-of-television/oclc/3240263&referer=brief_results http://www.worldcat.org/title/four-arguments-for-the-elimina... (Mander was himself an ad executive.) Neil Postman, Amusing Ourselves to Death and Technopoly http://www.worldcat.org/title/amusing-ourselves-to-death-public-discourse-in-the-age-of-show-business/oclc/11842779&referer=brief_results http://www.worldcat.org/title/amusing-ourselves-to-death-pub... http://www.worldcat.org/title/technopoly-the-surrender-of-culture-to-technology/oclc/24694343&referer=brief_results http://www.worldcat.org/title/technopoly-the-surrender-of-cu... Adam Curtis, The Century of the Self http://www.worldcat.org/title/century-of-the-self/oclc/86087398&referer=brief_results http://www.worldcat.org/title/century-of-the-self/oclc/86087... https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=eJ3RzGoQC4s https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=eJ3RzGoQC4s While we're at it, A Thousand Clowns http://www.worldcat.org/title/thousand-clowns/oclc/748574510&referer=brief_results http://www.worldcat.org/title/thousand-clowns/oclc/748574510... https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=AGeq3aMQpbU https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=AGeq3aMQpbU
- JakeAl 10y ago
  Great list. I'd add this one. Billy Corgan Warns of Weaponized Zombies - Full Interview https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ojAXUqL--mY https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ojAXUqL--mY
  - dredmorbius 10y ago
    Infowars? Seriously? Though you create the opportunity to mention that there is a non batshit-insane lying-for-attention Alex Jones out there worth reading: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alex_Jones_(journalist) https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alex_Jones_(journalist)

dingaling 10y ago

> It's not like a random ad is going to brainwash me into buying something I never wanted in the first place Absolutely they do, that's their entire purpose. It has various names such as 'acquired need', a prime example that gained universal acceptance being fabric conditioner. Sugared water is another prime example, I'm sure you can name some brands and mentally picture their bottles lying in a bed of ice cubes.

sosborn 10y ago
You are right that this is there intention, but it is not always the effect. Think about SPAM. Have you ever fallen for any of those emails?
- falcolas 10y ago
  People fall for them all the time. Most of the more poorly worded ones are actually trying to filter out intelligent users, since they will end up being a waste of the spammer's time.
  - sosborn 10y ago
    Yes, some people do. That doesn't mean that everyone does, which was the point that seanwilson was making.

dredmorbius 10y ago

Jerry Mander, Four Arguments for the Elimination of Television http://www.worldcat.org/title/four-arguments-for-the-elimination-of-television/oclc/3240263&referer=brief_results http://www.worldcat.org/title/four-arguments-for-the-elimina... (Mander was himself an ad executive.) Neil Postman, Amusing Ourselves to Death and Technopoly http://www.worldcat.org/title/amusing-ourselves-to-death-public-discourse-in-the-age-of-show-business/oclc/11842779&referer=brief_results http://www.worldcat.org/title/amusing-ourselves-to-death-pub... http://www.worldcat.org/title/technopoly-the-surrender-of-culture-to-technology/oclc/24694343&referer=brief_results http://www.worldcat.org/title/technopoly-the-surrender-of-cu... Adam Curtis, The Century of the Self http://www.worldcat.org/title/century-of-the-self/oclc/86087398&referer=brief_results http://www.worldcat.org/title/century-of-the-self/oclc/86087... https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=eJ3RzGoQC4s https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=eJ3RzGoQC4s While we're at it, A Thousand Clowns http://www.worldcat.org/title/thousand-clowns/oclc/748574510&referer=brief_results http://www.worldcat.org/title/thousand-clowns/oclc/748574510... https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=AGeq3aMQpbU https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=AGeq3aMQpbU

JakeAl 10y ago
Great list. I'd add this one. Billy Corgan Warns of Weaponized Zombies - Full Interview https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ojAXUqL--mY https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ojAXUqL--mY
- dredmorbius 10y ago
  Infowars? Seriously? Though you create the opportunity to mention that there is a non batshit-insane lying-for-attention Alex Jones out there worth reading: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alex_Jones_(journalist) https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alex_Jones_(journalist)