[dspillett]

> I want to see more of the web paid for directly, rather than funded through snooping.

Call me cynical, but I don't think that will ever happen.

Even if it starts out that way, once the number of users stabilises and the board/investors/other still want commercial growth someone will notice how easy it would be to track the users and sell the resulting data and you'll be paying both directly and by having yourself tracked & sold in the background.

The information would be much more valuable than that for general web users too: you are automatically pre-selecting for people with enough disposable income that they'll pay $50/month for a social network subscription (to use your example).

[unicornporn]

Does anybody remember app.net[1]?

[1] http://www.ibtimes.com/appnet-do-people-really-want-paid-twi...