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They Live (1988) inspired Adblocker (github.com)

563 points by tokenburner · 110 days ago · 192 comments on HN

Article summary

A developer has created a fork of the uBlock Origin Lite adblocker, called They Live Adblocker, which replaces blocked ads with white tiles bearing slogans from the 1988 film They Live. The adblocker uses a list of phrases from the movie, such as 'OBEY' and 'CONSUME', and applies them to cosmetic-filtered ads. The project is a personal hobby fork and is not an official uBlock Origin product. The adblocker can be installed from the GitHub repository and is available for Chromium-based browsers.

Main themes

  • Adblocking
  • They Live film
  • Conspiracy theories
  • Skepticism
  • Marketing and consumerism
  • Free thinking and authority

What commenters say

  • The They Live adblocker is a creative way to highlight the themes of the movie and encourage critical thinking about consumerism and authority.
  • The movie They Live is a commentary on the ways in which societal pressures and marketing can control people's thoughts and behaviors.
  • Some people view the movie's portrayal of subliminal messages as overly simplistic or unrealistic, and argue that human desires and behaviors are more complex than the movie suggests.
  • The line between healthy skepticism and conspiracy theories can be blurry, and it's possible for people to be misled by false or misleading information.
  • Marketing and consumerism can have a profound impact on people's lives, and can be used to manipulate and control people's desires and behaviors.
  • The importance of critical thinking and media literacy cannot be overstated, as it allows individuals to make informed decisions and resist manipulation.
  • There is a fine line between questioning authority and promoting conspiracy theories, and it's essential to approach these topics with nuance and critical thinking.
  • The movie They Live has become a cultural touchstone for discussions about consumerism, authority, and free thinking, and continues to inspire new interpretations and adaptations.