Those same ad networks that serve up ads that "pay content creators" also serve up ads that contain malicious JavaScript and malware, or links to sites that per

Those same ad networks that serve up ads that "pay content creators" also serve up ads that contain malicious JavaScript and malware, or links to sites that perform all manner of malicious activity (click-jacking, XSS attacks... etc.). Running an ad blocker is required for safe use of the web these days. The "consequences" of content not getting produced are of far less impact than the consequences of failing to block malicious code contained in ads. You're argument says "me getting paid is more important than you protecting yourself from identity theft and privacy invasion." I don't accept the trade-off.