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Just FYI. For a very long time, strong alcohol ads were banned on TV, and the same with tobacco. I don't watch regular TV, anymore, so I don't know if it still

Just FYI. For a very long time, strong alcohol ads were banned on TV, and the same with tobacco. I don't watch regular TV, anymore, so I don't know if it still is in place. Mentioning "banning advertising" on HN is bound to draw downvotes. A significant number of HN members make money directly, or indirectly, from digital advertising. It's like walking into a mosque, and demanding they allow drinking. Won't end well.

fn-mote 1y ago
In this case, the suggestion of banning advertising is drawing downvotes from me because I see it as politically unrealistic. At least in my state, there isn’t even a ban on advertising online gambling!! It is quite a stretch to think we could move from there to banning any kind of advertising. It has nothing to do with the fact that a bunch of HN readers make money from ads. I don’t.
- cycomanic 1y ago
  Somewhat meta question, do you believe that down voting opinions we don't like is a good way of engaging with one another on HN? I wish we could discuss the issue here, and instead would have liked to hear from you why you think it is a pitically unrealistic proposal, and what your criteria is for seeming something politically unrealistic.
integralid 1y ago
There's a large difference between banning strong alcohol ads, and instantly collapsing a whole huge advertisement economy (that indirectly funds most of the free things people take for granted). Either I misunderstand something or I'm baffled how anyone can consider that easy.
- array_key_first 1y ago
  Not easy per se, but definitely doable. It's a relatively new economy, there's no blood oath anywhere saying we have to allow it. We've banned literally all tobacco ads and its... fine. I mean not for the tobacco company, but who cares? I'm not gonna advocate making the world worse so some people stay employed. That's so counter productive. Who knows - maybe in a less shitty world, new jobs will emerge!

fn-mote 1y ago

In this case, the suggestion of banning advertising is drawing downvotes from me because I see it as politically unrealistic. At least in my state, there isn’t even a ban on advertising online gambling!! It is quite a stretch to think we could move from there to banning any kind of advertising. It has nothing to do with the fact that a bunch of HN readers make money from ads. I don’t.

cycomanic 1y ago
Somewhat meta question, do you believe that down voting opinions we don't like is a good way of engaging with one another on HN? I wish we could discuss the issue here, and instead would have liked to hear from you why you think it is a pitically unrealistic proposal, and what your criteria is for seeming something politically unrealistic.

integralid 1y ago

There's a large difference between banning strong alcohol ads, and instantly collapsing a whole huge advertisement economy (that indirectly funds most of the free things people take for granted). Either I misunderstand something or I'm baffled how anyone can consider that easy.

array_key_first 1y ago
Not easy per se, but definitely doable. It's a relatively new economy, there's no blood oath anywhere saying we have to allow it. We've banned literally all tobacco ads and its... fine. I mean not for the tobacco company, but who cares? I'm not gonna advocate making the world worse so some people stay employed. That's so counter productive. Who knows - maybe in a less shitty world, new jobs will emerge!