The first and foremost reason to block ads for me is that advertising is not content, disguises itself as content, and displaces content. It literally makes the content worse and adds nothing.
The fact that all advertisers are dishonest and ad networks are the primary source of malware infection, and by serving as sources of malware infection they are accomplishing their primary-as-designed purpose[1] is the SECOND reason to block them.
But even if they were honest and clean and the second reason didn't exist, the first reason would still be overwhelming.
[1]: Oh sure, they're SUPPOSEDLY about advertising products to interested consumers, but nobody reads or clicks on ads deliberately (see the "not content" objection) and advertisers know that. So their claimed reason for existing is a blatant lie, like pro-lifer or gamergater claiming their primary motivation isn't misogyny.
(no subject)
Date: 2014-10-24 08:27 pm (UTC)The fact that all advertisers are dishonest and ad networks are the primary source of malware infection, and by serving as sources of malware infection they are accomplishing their primary-as-designed purpose[1] is the SECOND reason to block them.
But even if they were honest and clean and the second reason didn't exist, the first reason would still be overwhelming.
[1]: Oh sure, they're SUPPOSEDLY about advertising products to interested consumers, but nobody reads or clicks on ads deliberately (see the "not content" objection) and advertisers know that. So their claimed reason for existing is a blatant lie, like pro-lifer or gamergater claiming their primary motivation isn't misogyny.