Online ad giant Adform was hacked, proving once again why ad blockers are needed

Post by benj111 » Wed, Aug 05, 2026, 8:39 AM UTC

nemomarx wrote: post #36

benj111 wrote: post #21

Earlier quoted context omitted.

So you are paying more than you should for a loaf of bread because your local shop is making a profit? because if you went to the factory you could buy the same loaf for less? Of course you could make the bread yourself for even less because the factory is making a profit, and grow the wheat yourself for even less because the farmer is making a profit. You are not 'paying more than you should'. Not least because ther…

The point of ads is generally to tempt you to make purchases where the alternative is having nothing. So the comparison I think is more like grocery stores putting junk food right in the checkout to try and have you buy some on impulse?

Post by benj111 » Wed, Aug 05, 2026, 8:43 AM UTC

functionmouse wrote: post #33

benj111 wrote: post #21

Earlier quoted context omitted.

So you are paying more than you should for a loaf of bread because your local shop is making a profit? because if you went to the factory you could buy the same loaf for less? Of course you could make the bread yourself for even less because the factory is making a profit, and grow the wheat yourself for even less because the farmer is making a profit. You are not 'paying more than you should'. Not least because ther…

Are you equating the shopkeeper across the street earning 15 an hour to sell me my loaf of bread to the advertisement industrial complex?

Post by dotancohen » Wed, Aug 05, 2026, 9:15 AM UTC

inigyou wrote: post #94

GuB-42 wrote: post #90

Earlier quoted context omitted.

With the difference that casual unprotected sex is enjoyable. That ad blockers improve security is a side benefit, most people, me included install ad blockers because ads are annoying. Ad blockers are one of these rare cases where security improve the user experience. Usually, it is the opposite. To go with the condom analogy, most people don't really like condoms, it is the safe thing to do, but they would rather n…

Because there's friction in getting an adblocker. I don't think there are any that work on phones, and Google Chrome crippled theirs on desktop. You have to go far out of your way to have one.

Post by GuB-42 » Wed, Aug 05, 2026, 9:22 AM UTC

inigyou wrote: post #94

GuB-42 wrote: post #90

Earlier quoted context omitted.

With the difference that casual unprotected sex is enjoyable. That ad blockers improve security is a side benefit, most people, me included install ad blockers because ads are annoying. Ad blockers are one of these rare cases where security improve the user experience. Usually, it is the opposite. To go with the condom analogy, most people don't really like condoms, it is the safe thing to do, but they would rather n…

Because there's friction in getting an adblocker. I don't think there are any that work on phones, and Google Chrome crippled theirs on desktop. You have to go far out of your way to have one.

Post by amelius » Wed, Aug 05, 2026, 9:49 AM UTC

benj111 wrote: post #89

amelius wrote: post #34

Earlier quoted context omitted.

That's a fallacy like the broken window fallacy. In no way is the consumer helped here, in the end. To make things worse, the consumer is nudged into buying more stuff and thus contributing to global overconsumption.

I'm not saying the consumer is helped. I'm saying that all businesses aim to make money, so the fact that this one is doesn't make it morally wrong. Further you've ascribed some price we 'should' be paying. There's no such thing, and you can't even say that prices would be lower without it. Tobacco companies haven't lowered prices in countries where advertising is banned. >To make things worse, the consumer is nudged…