What if we made advertising illegal? (simone.org)

Article summary

The article proposes making advertising illegal as a way to protect democracy and individuals from manipulation. It argues that advertising is a form of manipulation that bypasses rational thought and triggers emotional responses, and that its abolition would force companies and politicians to communicate in a more honest and transparent way. The article also suggests that the internet could be funded through alternative means, such as a monthly internet pass or micropayments for individual pieces of content. The author acknowledges that this is a radical idea, but believes it is worth considering as a way to create a more equitable and democratic society.

Main themes

• Advertising and manipulation
• Democracy and free speech
• Internet funding models
• Regulation and liability
• Alternative forms of content funding

What commenters say

• Making companies liable for misuse of personal information could be an alternative to banning advertising altogether.
• Banning advertising would not be effective in reducing manipulation, as companies would find ways to adapt and exploit loopholes.
• The internet could be funded through micropayments or a monthly pass, allowing users to pay for content directly rather than through advertising.
• A ban on advertising would likely lead to the demise of many online services and businesses that rely on ad revenue.
• Some commenters argue that advertising is a necessary evil, and that alternative funding models are not viable or scalable.
• Others propose that a distinction can be made between commercial speech and other forms of free speech, and that laws can be crafted to regulate advertising without infringing on freedom of expression.
• The line between advertising and other forms of commercial speech is blurry, and it would be difficult to define and enforce a ban on advertising.
• Some argue that a non-profit or cooperative model for internet services could be a viable alternative to the current ad-based model.