4 ms·

Tangent but let's stop referring to it as a mere ad blocker, it's a content blocker - it's even a very useful and impactful accessibility tool in that capacity.

by krono 4y ago

Tangent but let's stop referring to it as a mere ad blocker, it's a content blocker - it's even a very useful and impactful accessibility tool in that capacity. ADHD sucks and I have a lot to thank to these types of tools for acting as my "crutches" that allowed me get where I am today.

ChemicalScum 4y ago
No.
- deleted 4y ago
  [deleted]
  - yamazakiwi 4y ago
notriddle 4y ago
I’d just like to interject for a moment. What you’re refering to as an ad blocker, is in fact, a content/ad blocker, or as I’ve recently taken to calling it, a content plus ad blocker. Ad blockers are not an extension unto themselves, but rather another downloadable block list for a fully functioning user agent made useful by the extension, browser chrome, and vital web engine components comprising a full user agent content customization system, which, in this case, can be customized using the ABP blocklist syntax. Many computer users run a modified version of a content blocker every day, without realizing it. Through a peculiar turn of events, the version of the content blocker which is widely used today is often called an ad blocker, and many of its users are not aware that it is basically a generic content blocker with a particularly popular block list preloaded.
- LordDragonfang 4y ago
  For the uninitiated: https://wiki.installgentoo.com/index.php/Interjection https://wiki.installgentoo.com/index.php/Interjection
jasonhansel 4y ago
100%. This is an a11y issue, not just about protecting privacy.
anotherevan 4y ago
I often refer to it as an HTML firewall - a security necessity.
plaguepilled 4y ago
Google profits off hurting neurodivergent people (think YouTube ads, recommended videos, etc) so this is sadly consistent with their business model.
- tpxl 4y ago
  Sorry, what? How are youtube ads hurting neurodivergent people in a way they don't hurt 'normal' people? If you can't handle youtube ads, don't go to youtube.
  - plaguepilled 4y ago
    YouTube ads directly try to game the users attention. This is distinct from regular advertising (billboards et al) because your engagement directly and quickly affects what ads are served to you. People who have particular sensitivity to attention changes ('attention deficit' might be a term for it, but there are other ways it can manifest) are going to be affected disproportionately by this, even if they don't disproportionately make up the revenue of the platform. Because of the increased sensitivity, the disruption also has the potential to affect the neurodivergent user more destructively than the neurotypical one. You can make the case that 'if you can't handle YouTube ads, don't go on YouTube', but then that runs counter to a lot of YouTube's content marketing and brand image. So if you take that stance, you then have to necessarily question the motives behind their other choices.
    - tpxl 4y ago
      > This is distinct from regular advertising (billboards et al) because your engagement directly and quickly affects what ads are served to you. This is exactly the same as TV and radio ads have been for decades now. Which ad is served is not at all relevant. > You can make the case that 'if you can't handle YouTube ads, don't go on YouTube', but then that runs counter to a lot of YouTube's content marketing and brand image. So if you take that stance, you then have to necessarily question the motives behind their other choices. Take some damned personal responsibility. If something is causing you distress, stop doing it. Whether it's cigarettes, alcohol or youtube, it doesn't matter.

by krono 4y ago

ChemicalScum 4y ago

No.

deleted 4y ago
[deleted]
- yamazakiwi 4y ago

notriddle 4y ago

I’d just like to interject for a moment. What you’re refering to as an ad blocker, is in fact, a content/ad blocker, or as I’ve recently taken to calling it, a content plus ad blocker. Ad blockers are not an extension unto themselves, but rather another downloadable block list for a fully functioning user agent made useful by the extension, browser chrome, and vital web engine components comprising a full user agent content customization system, which, in this case, can be customized using the ABP blocklist syntax. Many computer users run a modified version of a content blocker every day, without realizing it. Through a peculiar turn of events, the version of the content blocker which is widely used today is often called an ad blocker, and many of its users are not aware that it is basically a generic content blocker with a particularly popular block list preloaded.

LordDragonfang 4y ago
For the uninitiated: https://wiki.installgentoo.com/index.php/Interjection https://wiki.installgentoo.com/index.php/Interjection

jasonhansel 4y ago

100%. This is an a11y issue, not just about protecting privacy.

anotherevan 4y ago

I often refer to it as an HTML firewall - a security necessity.

plaguepilled 4y ago

Google profits off hurting neurodivergent people (think YouTube ads, recommended videos, etc) so this is sadly consistent with their business model.

tpxl 4y ago
Sorry, what? How are youtube ads hurting neurodivergent people in a way they don't hurt 'normal' people? If you can't handle youtube ads, don't go to youtube.
- plaguepilled 4y ago
  YouTube ads directly try to game the users attention. This is distinct from regular advertising (billboards et al) because your engagement directly and quickly affects what ads are served to you. People who have particular sensitivity to attention changes ('attention deficit' might be a term for it, but there are other ways it can manifest) are going to be affected disproportionately by this, even if they don't disproportionately make up the revenue of the platform. Because of the increased sensitivity, the disruption also has the potential to affect the neurodivergent user more destructively than the neurotypical one. You can make the case that 'if you can't handle YouTube ads, don't go on YouTube', but then that runs counter to a lot of YouTube's content marketing and brand image. So if you take that stance, you then have to necessarily question the motives behind their other choices.
  - tpxl 4y ago
    > This is distinct from regular advertising (billboards et al) because your engagement directly and quickly affects what ads are served to you. This is exactly the same as TV and radio ads have been for decades now. Which ad is served is not at all relevant. > You can make the case that 'if you can't handle YouTube ads, don't go on YouTube', but then that runs counter to a lot of YouTube's content marketing and brand image. So if you take that stance, you then have to necessarily question the motives behind their other choices. Take some damned personal responsibility. If something is causing you distress, stop doing it. Whether it's cigarettes, alcohol or youtube, it doesn't matter.