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Adfree Cities

adfreecities.org.uk

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31–40 of 278 posts

Re: Adfree Cities

#31

Post by digging »

amadeuspagel wrote: post #9

The fact that you can advertise in cities is the reason that big tech doesn't capture 100% of profits in every single market. Advertising in cities, from billboards to flyers to stickers is the only way to reach people directly, without going through an intermediary big tech monopoly. I have a sense that the people most likely to support this thing also whine a lot about big tech, so this is just another bullet point…

> The fact that you can advertise in cities is the reason that big tech doesn't capture 100% of profits in every single market.

I really don't think this is true. What evidence leads you to believe that?

> Advertising in cities, from billboards to flyers to stickers is the only way to reach people directly

Most billboards are from [inter]national corporations. Local businesses usually rely on the most effective form of advertising, word-of-mouth. Some of the most successful local businesses in my city have literally never paid for advertising.

Lastly, your complaint is meritless because Adfree Cities is not campaigning to ban all conceivable forms of advertising. From TFA (well, the FAQ page):

> Why doesn’t Adfree Cities campaign against all kinds of advertising?

> Our focus is on creating neighbourhoods and cities free from corporate outdoor advertising such as billboards. There are specific problems with outdoor advertising as explained briefly above and in more detail here: The trouble with billboards. And there are unique opportunities for communities to reclaim these spaces for art, nature and local initiatives.

Re: Adfree Cities

#32

Post by technotarek »

tylervigen wrote: post #6

I have personally gotten very aggressive at removing as many ads from my life as I can. I pay for the "premium" version of everything I can to remove ads (Spotify, YouTube, podcast subscriptions) and use adblocker aggressively. It's so much nicer than the alternative. There are two places where ads remain: 1) Social media where the ads are integrated and not blocked (Facebook, YouTube in-video promos) 2) Billboards i…

I don’t know where you live, but what about all the mail spam — physical mail like catalogs and email advertising/marketing? And that half of what’s published by most journalistic outlets is now veiled ads?

Dear Products,

I know me better than you. I’ll come find you WHEN I need you. In the meantime, please just sit tight and stay out of my way.

-Mr Consumption is Overrated

Re: Adfree Cities

#33

Post by arketyp »

helen___keller wrote: post #12

I understand why people hate advertising but if I’m honest, I don’t agree with having an “adfree city”. I personally like the aesthetic of visual overload that you find in ad-laden cities (let’s say in Tokyo). It makes the space feel living, breathing, and alive, which a city should be. And then the visually quiet spaces, like temples and parks, feel much more sweet. Also at a conceptual level I disagree with the jus…

They will appear elsewhere because fundamentally: we want them. Now I can steelman the argument against ads by likening them to parasites or drugs. The "want" can then be put into question. Any way, the bottom line is that simple exposure to ads is not enough for their efficacy and continued existence. Someone has to actually buy the stuff too, and that's a choice which is up to the person. Are we so incapacitated we can't just take some personal responsibility and resist in quiet? I find this revolting mob strategy distasteful, honestly.

Re: Adfree Cities

#34

Post by davidgay »

sunday_serif wrote: post #23

Not so long ago, I was traveling around Switzerland. During my time in the country, there was always something just a little off, and I couldn’t place what it was. Was it cleaner? Was the architecture just very modernist? Did it have something to do with the season? Eventually, I realized that the difference I was noticing between Switzerland and California (my home state) was that there was simply much less advertis…

Billboards (standalone or on buildings) are not allowed.

Re: Adfree Cities

#35

Post by Analemma_ »

vlovich123 wrote: post #25
amadeuspagel wrote: post #9

The fact that you can advertise in cities is the reason that big tech doesn't capture 100% of profits in every single market. Advertising in cities, from billboards to flyers to stickers is the only way to reach people directly, without going through an intermediary big tech monopoly. I have a sense that the people most likely to support this thing also whine a lot about big tech, so this is just another bullet point…

Honestly maybe we should just ban all advertising? Advertising is generally a zero sum game - there’s no meaningful difference if you spend 5M on ads and your competitors spend 5M on ads or you spend 0 and your competitors spend 0. There is a difference if you can spend 20M and your competitors can only spend 5M, but that’s one way larger companies kill competition.

Right now this would be seen as impossibly radical, but I am increasingly of the opinion that advertising will someday be totally banned and our descendants will look back on it as barbaric. "You allowed corporations to spy on you and psychologically abuse you, instilling feelings of insecurity and inadequacy, everywhere you went? Why?"

Re: Adfree Cities

#36

Post by Feathercrown »

tylervigen wrote: post #6

I have personally gotten very aggressive at removing as many ads from my life as I can. I pay for the "premium" version of everything I can to remove ads (Spotify, YouTube, podcast subscriptions) and use adblocker aggressively. It's so much nicer than the alternative. There are two places where ads remain: 1) Social media where the ads are integrated and not blocked (Facebook, YouTube in-video promos) 2) Billboards i…

The Sponsorblock chrome extension does wonders

Re: Adfree Cities

#37

Post by Tempest1981 »

helen___keller wrote: post #12

I understand why people hate advertising but if I’m honest, I don’t agree with having an “adfree city”. I personally like the aesthetic of visual overload that you find in ad-laden cities (let’s say in Tokyo). It makes the space feel living, breathing, and alive, which a city should be. And then the visually quiet spaces, like temples and parks, feel much more sweet. Also at a conceptual level I disagree with the jus…

For me, the ads in Tokyo are unfamiliar, so I can enjoy the colors and energy more. vs say Times Square, where the ads really hit me over the head.

Re: Adfree Cities

#38

Post by nox100 »

helen___keller wrote: post #12

I understand why people hate advertising but if I’m honest, I don’t agree with having an “adfree city”. I personally like the aesthetic of visual overload that you find in ad-laden cities (let’s say in Tokyo). It makes the space feel living, breathing, and alive, which a city should be. And then the visually quiet spaces, like temples and parks, feel much more sweet. Also at a conceptual level I disagree with the jus…

agreed. I even enjoy reading the ads on the trains in Tokyo. I find out about all kinds of random stuff. There are ads for events, museums, concerts, festivals, condos, other train lines, manga, video games, etc...

Re: Adfree Cities

#40

Post by givinguflac »

I love this effort! I try my best to avoid any type of advertising. I’ll buy an AR/VR headset/glasses when they can block IRL billboard ads. That’s the killer app for me.
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