In an interview, Mr. Faida focused on the plight of those smaller Web sites that had suffered collateral damage from ad-blocking programs. […] “I just talked to a tech Web site here in Germany, they have seven employees and 40 percent of their users have ad-blockers,” he said. “There was a tech convention in America, and they couldn’t afford to send more than one journalist because so many of their ads are being blocked.”
So? The very concept of ads is flawed. There are two things consumers want: a) discovery, b) reviews. Both are best served by independent parties, filters, “editors”, gatekeepers who earn the trust of consumers by doing, guess what, good introductions and good reviews. Sometimes, consumers take it upon themselves to spread the word or write good reviews. Other times, consumers should pay for these things. And producers should concentrate on making good products. Advertising is conscious, paid-for, explicit manipulation of other people. Why is it so hard for some people to not whitewash it and see it for what it is?
So? The very concept of ads is flawed. There are two things consumers want: a) discovery, b) reviews. Both are best served by independent parties, filters, “editors”, gatekeepers who earn the trust of consumers by doing, guess what, good introductions and good reviews. Sometimes, consumers take it upon themselves to spread the word or write good reviews. Other times, consumers should pay for these things. And producers should concentrate on making good products. Advertising is conscious, paid-for, explicit manipulation of other people. Why is it so hard for some people to not whitewash it and see it for what it is?