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by 12ian34 1879 days ago
Ads aren't just intrusive, they're a manipulative dark pattern
2 comments

I'm not the biggest fan of ads either, but "manipulative dark pattern"? Come on now.
If you are going to call ads a "dark pattern", you might as well call capitalism a dark pattern. That's not say either are positive, but I think your terminology is extreme.
Going by the wiki[0], I absolutely stand by my comment that ads fit this description.

[0]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dark_pattern

Many ads fit that description. Many don't. Characterizing ads in general as a dark pattern dilutes your message about the problematic ones, in my opinion.

Some of them are just telling me about, say, a TV show or movie that is coming out. Nothing deceptive, nothing bothersome about it. I think it is quite a stretch to consider that the term "dark pattern" applies to that.

I understand that ads that are targeted are bothersome to many due to privacy issues, but I personally don't mind that Amazon and Ebay regularly show me ads for skateboard/roller sport equipment, music keyboards and other midi controllers, shoes of styles I like, and so on. But you seem to be simply saying ALL ads, even untargeted, non deceptive ads such as for a movie or car or something are "dark patterns." I don't get that.