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The idea feels like sci-fi because you're so used to it, imagining ads gone feels like asking to outlaw gravity. But humanity had been free of current forms of advertising for 99.9% of its existence. Word-of-mouth and community networks worked just fine. First-party websites and online communities would now improve on that.

The traditional argument pro-advertising—that it provides consumers with necessary information—hasn't been valid for decades.

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[-] thisorthatorwhatever@lemmy.world 2 points 2 months ago

Ultimately some ads will become illegal as legit advertisers (large corps), get pissed off at all the dick pill ads mixed in with their content.

[-] WarlordSdocy@lemmy.world 2 points 2 months ago

As much as I'd be down with this I don't see it happening considering no one wants to pay for the services they use that are ad supported. For example everyone always seems to shit on YouTube premium but that is a currently existing way to get rid of ads on the service. Every time there's an option between ad supported and ad free but paid people tend to just pick ad free. So while I think outlawing ads would be good at least with the current state of the world it would only be a net negative, killing off a bunch of small and big websites that rely on ads.

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[-] Itdidnttrickledown@lemmy.world 2 points 2 months ago

If you just made it criminal to misrepresent what you are selling then it would be progress. Any measure of truth in advertising would be a plus. None currently exist.

[-] kuberoot@discuss.tchncs.de 2 points 2 months ago

I get the impression that misrepresentation is banned... And that's why ads are often not about the product, but instead showing emotional images, playing catchy music (with brand-related lyrics), making related jokes. When what you can truthfully say is no better than the competition, you have to take a different approach...

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[-] zipzoopaboop@lemmynsfw.com 2 points 2 months ago

Yes please. Blocking all advertising possible in my online presence did wonders for my sanity

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[-] termaxima@jlai.lu 2 points 2 months ago

I personally think physical advertisements in the city should be limited to local businesses only.

And of course, no ads by the motorway, although that’s already the case here in France.

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[-] CarbonatedPastaSauce@lemmy.world 2 points 2 months ago

I'm on board and have been for a long time. I am true believer of Bill Hicks' opinion of marketing. I stopped watching broadcast/cable TV in the late 90's because I couldn't stand watching all the propaganda mixed in with the shows. Whenever I'm in a doctor's office lobby or somewhere that has a TV on, it's a bit of a shock to see all the commercial bullshit again.

Does wonders for you once it's not occupying space in your brain.

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this post was submitted on 06 Apr 2025
611 points (97.5% liked)

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