What if we banned all advertising? Not regulate it—abolish it. This proposal would transform manipulation machines, and maybe save democracy itself. A thought experiment worth considering.

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.

  • EatMyPixelDust@lemmy.blahaj.zoneEnglish
    22·
    5 days ago

    The only advertisements that still make any sense to me are those in magazines where the advertisement is relevant to the audience, and sometimes actually useful. They also make no sound, are a static image, and can be easily ignored.

    Aside from those, I cannot stand the annoyance of advertising, and sincerely hope it dies.

    • Hastur@lemmy.blahaj.zoneEnglish
      2·
      3 days ago

      Dedicated bulienten boards in parks and public places for local businesses. Online spaces can have dedicated forums for these adverts too. All still static silent images

    • Godort@lemm.ee
      7·
      5 days ago

      I just want to go back to the children’s age bracket. Tell me about cool new toys and less about life insurance