[_Algernon_]

>The challenge is the system of incentives around the technology

The solution is simple: Outlaw advertising. It should have been done decades ago, considering the negative externalities it puts on society (in terms of visual pollution, and harmful incentives it creates).

There is no real reason for it existing. The original argument was that it provides customers with information based on which to make purchasing decisions. It hasn't done this since at least Edward Bernays'[1] time. And there is no argument to be made that customers with internet existing lack information based on which to make purchasing decisions.

[1]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edward_Bernays

[i80and]

I'm deeply jealous of the few US states that have banned billboard advertising -- it really feels like pervasive advertising is outright caustic to my brain.

[TheSoftwareGuy]

On the other hand, I can imagine that banning that banning one form of advertising drives those would-be advertisers to other mediums, such as the ones that drive addictive apps and such. This would in turn increase the revenue of those apps, and make that business model more attractive, compared to e.g. apps that are a one-time purchase

[theoreticalmal]

> There is no real reason for it existing

Except the fundamental human right to be able to say what you want, when you want, how you want, even (especially?) for commercial purposes.

[blacksmith_tb]

That seems like it requires a notion of corporate personhood? I don't mind some neighborhood pizza place boasting in their front window that they're the best in town (even though that's unlikely). But targeted ads across devices don't strike me as the free expression of a person.

[jodrellblank]

There is no fundamental human right to walk down the street at 2am with a megaphone and scream "BUY MY USED CARS" into people's open bedroom windows while they're asleep. That counters "where you want, how you want, when you want". "Especially" for commercial purposes is even more objectionable - as if anyone should get more rights if they are trying to extract money from people than if they aren't?

[ben_w]

Gratis vs libre.

I don't mind freely given personal recommendations for products, paid recommendations are suspect.

[lm28469]

> fundamental human right

Meh, someone wrote them, we can change them, they're not universal, even in the US true free speech doesn't exist. libel ? slander ? incitement ? defamation ? &c. you can't even swear on tv...

And even if... what does it mean ? Should I invent a 400dB personal loudspeaker for people to express themselves 24/7 because they have "the right to say whatever they want however they want, whenever they want" ?

That's a schoolyard level take on what freedom of expression is...