[alkonaut]

It would be 10 or 100 such subscriptions to various "networks" of sites, and in the end these micropayment-networks would live more from selling the visitors' behaviour patterns than from the fees themselves (just like ad networks are in the bulk information collection business).

The solution imho is a good micropayment system where I can choose to view a page for $.01 or view it for free with ads.

[TeMPOraL]

I personally wouldn't mind. They could track me all day long (except why would they - they aren't doing ads any more) as long as the Internet gets free of the shit that's eating everyone's bandwidth, battery power, CPU cycles and sanity.

[sparkzilla]

If your sanity is so easily upset by advertising, I suggest you get off the internet, and avoid TV, radio and print altogether.

[jacquesm]

Being on the internet or not is no longer optional. In lots of places governments now require that you communicate with them via their website, it's the way people stay in touch with each other (and you'll be left out if you don't) and it is the way companies do business, hire people and communicate between each other.

Advertising is not an essential part of the internet, but everything else is. Remember: the internet was doing just fine before advertising rolled along.

[TeMPOraL]

I avoid TV, radio and print already. But why should I get off the Internet when I can just use an ad blocker?