[rrradical]

Well if it were designed as an earnest feature, it would go on the side right? I can't imagine any UX pro saying 'let's plop this right in the middle of their requested content'. So I see it as pretty cynical. Any time software says 'I know what the user wants more than they do' I tend to think that's a mistake. But I think the consequences of this sort of thing plays out over a long period of a time. Maybe past when some executive leaves for a new job.