I don’t disagree, but I don’t know what specifically to object to. “people and companies want to make money entertaining folks” seems pretty universal, as does “most consumers don’t want to be challenged or put in much effort into their entertainment”.
Maybe I do disagree with the implied dichotomy that “the web” can only be one thing, and if it’s more ad-supported-entertainment, it has to be less long-form idea exploration and thoughtful discussion. That’s not the case. There’s more thoughtful writing now than ever before. Admittedly, it’s harder to find because there’s just more STUFF than ever before, including the lowest-common-denominator entertainments that you’re worried about.
As to the metaphor—I presume you don’t remember the introduction and popularization of cable TV. It was revolutionary to have more than a few centrally-controlled channels available. CATV in the ’70s and ‘80s was more freeing than the internet in the ‘90s (though past ’03 or so, the internet continued to grow in diversity and human connections, unlike CATV, which became near-universal and killed broadcast TV, but didn’t much expand it’s scope). Yes, in this paragraph, I’m reminiscing like a grizzled old miner, and using the word “aught” for the zeros.
I don’t disagree, but I don’t know what specifically to object to.
Thanks for the feedback. Admittedly, and I probably should have included this in the text, I think of these as weak signals about getting closer to a boundary of what is acceptable. I’m not against advertising or people making money off entertainment, but I see the online ad industry as a race to the bottom that will only stop once a larger group of people realize that ads have gone too far.
Maybe I do disagree with the implied dichotomy that “the web” can only be one thing, and if it’s more ad-supported-entertainment, it has to be less long-form idea exploration and thoughtful discussion.
This is actually what I am worried about. Right now, the web can be many things. However, by baking advertising into the browser, this could shift the balance toward just one thing.
I realize my argument could be viewed as slippery slope, but from a different perspective, actions like FLoC could be stake-driving—attempts to move the window of what is acceptable.
I presume you don’t remember the introduction and popularization of cable TV.
Nope! I was born too late for that. Growing up, TV for me and my friends was already something slow and boring and full of TV shopping channels.
I don’t disagree, but I don’t know what specifically to object to. “people and companies want to make money entertaining folks” seems pretty universal, as does “most consumers don’t want to be challenged or put in much effort into their entertainment”.
Maybe I do disagree with the implied dichotomy that “the web” can only be one thing, and if it’s more ad-supported-entertainment, it has to be less long-form idea exploration and thoughtful discussion. That’s not the case. There’s more thoughtful writing now than ever before. Admittedly, it’s harder to find because there’s just more STUFF than ever before, including the lowest-common-denominator entertainments that you’re worried about.
As to the metaphor—I presume you don’t remember the introduction and popularization of cable TV. It was revolutionary to have more than a few centrally-controlled channels available. CATV in the ’70s and ‘80s was more freeing than the internet in the ‘90s (though past ’03 or so, the internet continued to grow in diversity and human connections, unlike CATV, which became near-universal and killed broadcast TV, but didn’t much expand it’s scope). Yes, in this paragraph, I’m reminiscing like a grizzled old miner, and using the word “aught” for the zeros.
Thanks for the feedback. Admittedly, and I probably should have included this in the text, I think of these as weak signals about getting closer to a boundary of what is acceptable. I’m not against advertising or people making money off entertainment, but I see the online ad industry as a race to the bottom that will only stop once a larger group of people realize that ads have gone too far.
This is actually what I am worried about. Right now, the web can be many things. However, by baking advertising into the browser, this could shift the balance toward just one thing.
I realize my argument could be viewed as slippery slope, but from a different perspective, actions like FLoC could be stake-driving—attempts to move the window of what is acceptable.
Nope! I was born too late for that. Growing up, TV for me and my friends was already something slow and boring and full of TV shopping channels.