2 brief points: Consider the amount of human innovation dedicated to killing other humans more efficiently. Ads are an improvement. Also, analysis techniques

2 brief points: Consider the amount of human innovation dedicated to killing other humans more efficiently. Ads are an improvement. Also, analysis techniques and technologies developed and funded with the goal of selling more ads translate to other fields, making life easier for researchers there. Just because the short term goal isn't curing cancer, that does not mean the work does not bring us closer.