Comment by timmg
1 year ago
> Do you think ads are ethical?
Generally, yes. Ads are an important function of commerce, tbh.
False ads, of course, are not ethical. But we do have laws in that area (not that people don't break them.)
1 year ago
> Do you think ads are ethical?
Generally, yes. Ads are an important function of commerce, tbh.
False ads, of course, are not ethical. But we do have laws in that area (not that people don't break them.)
Fair enough! I stand on the side that the current ad landscape in the US gravitates towards convincing us to buy things we don’t need and consume more. And normally using manipulative tactics. For example, ads in the car industry that sell a lifestyle that convinces people to buy large pick up trucks they don’t need at costs they can’t actually afford.
But do you object to ads in general?
If so: how do you think people will find out about new things? Even, like, a new movie or productivity product?
I’m not sure it’s worth answering the question because to me it almost feels like a straw man in the sense that it’s disconnected from the current reality. I think running a movie trailer before another movies plays and putting up movie posters around the theater is fair play. It’s within the same context and is actually advertising an entertainment product. Further, people go out of their way to watch movie trailers on YouTube.
However, the majority of ads I’m discussing don’t adhere to that. Overall, people are pretty good about finding out about things! If it’s really desired, some will seek it out. Others will learn via word of mouth. Steam is a good example I think where people find games without having to see ads on TV, online, or other areas.
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