# Is it immoral to block advertisements? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [June 5, 2013, 7:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-immoral-to-block-advertisements/660234 "2013-06-05T19:46:29Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 10
**Author:** ![Isaacedwardleibowitz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/ecb155/32.png) [@Isaacedwardleibowitz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Isaacedwardleibowitz)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2013, 3:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-immoral-to-block-advertisements/660234/181 "2013-06-14T03:52:26Z")
> [@DocCathode](#): > > To sum up, you can’t prove the compact you keep talking about and whose terms you claim to know, exists at all. You can’t prove it doesn’t exist. No one can prove that _any_ social compact exists. Like I said, though, the compact is implicit in making use of the website, as are the similar compacts with riding buses, using a bicycle path, replenishing the coffee pot at the office, etc. If you don’t want to be part of the compact, don’t visit the website. ---
**Author:** ![Isaacedwardleibowitz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/ecb155/32.png) [@Isaacedwardleibowitz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Isaacedwardleibowitz)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2013, 3:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-immoral-to-block-advertisements/660234/182 "2013-06-14T03:54:06Z")
> [@artemis](#): > > I am willing (and DO) pay for online content. How is that showing a lack of character? It’s not. I applaud you for doing this. This type of conscientiousness is all too rare on the internet today. ---
**Author:** ![DocCathode](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/doccathode/32/18773_2.png) [@DocCathode](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DocCathode)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2013, 4:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-immoral-to-block-advertisements/660234/183 "2013-06-14T04:07:27Z")
> [@Isaacedwardleibowitz](#): > > You can’t prove it doesn’t exist. I don’t have to. It doesn’t work that way. You made the claim that a social compact exists. The onus is on you to back up that claim. ---
**Author:** ![Isaacedwardleibowitz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/ecb155/32.png) [@Isaacedwardleibowitz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Isaacedwardleibowitz)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2013, 4:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-immoral-to-block-advertisements/660234/184 "2013-06-14T04:15:24Z")
> [@DocCathode](#): > > I don’t have to. It doesn’t work that way. You made the claim that a social compact exists. The onus is on you to back up that claim. I admit that I can’t prove it, because the compact is as ethereal as every other compact in our society. It’s ironic that compacts are so hard to prove and show, because they’re more important to the function of our society than any physical document. You must lead an interesting life if you only obey compacts that can be proven to exist. I have argued several times that the compact is implicit in the websites themselves, and I’ll repeat it here for you: > [@](#): > > And, as I said above, it is implicit in using the bus. Even if you’re from rural Nebraska and you’ve never used a bus before, you’re bound by the compact to use courtesy on the bus. You are enjoying the benefits of the bus, so you must make little sacrifices - giving up your seat to a pregnant woman, turning down the music on your Ipod, not talking loud on your cell phone - to keep the experience you are benefiting from bearable for everyone else. > > It’s the same when you make use of a website dependent on ad revenue. Because you are benefiting from it, you have a duty both to its creators and its other users to allow the ads to appear on your screen so that the website can continue benefiting everyone. It’s a social obligation. Not that it will change your mind. I get it, we’ve been debating this for two pages and you won’t change your adblocking habits. Just go on doing it and feeling great about it, like you’re crusading against the oppressive content-creators who bombard you with ads that will give you seizures and make your hard drive explode, while you enjoy the fruits of their labors.:rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![DocCathode](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/doccathode/32/18773_2.png) [@DocCathode](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DocCathode)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2013, 4:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-immoral-to-block-advertisements/660234/185 "2013-06-14T04:25:49Z")
> [@Isaacedwardleibowitz](#): > > I admit that I can’t prove it, Then, you should stop using arguments predicated on its existence. > [@](#): > > You must lead an interesting life if you only obey compacts that can be proven to exist. We agree on the existence of bike rack and bus riding compacts. I simply don’t believe that a compact exists between web content providers and viewers. > [@](#): > > you won’t change your adblocking habits. Just go on doing it and feeling great about it, I think I’ll do just that. > [@](#): > > like you’re crusading against the oppressive content-creators who bombard you with ads that will give you seizures and make your hard drive explode, while you enjoy the fruits of their labors.:rolleyes: :rolleyes: back at ya. You have fun building that strawman? ---
**Author:** ![Isaacedwardleibowitz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/ecb155/32.png) [@Isaacedwardleibowitz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Isaacedwardleibowitz)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2013, 4:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-immoral-to-block-advertisements/660234/186 "2013-06-14T04:33:10Z")
> [@DocCathode](#): > > Then, you should stop using arguments predicated on its existence. My argument isn’t predicated on its existence. Even if you ignore the social compact aspect, making use of a website’s content while blocking its revenue-producing ads is wrong on such a basic level that I can’t believe I even have to articulate it. You are manipulating something someone else is providing for you in exchange for something so that you can get it for nothing. > [@DocCathode](#): > > We agree on the existence of bike rack and bus riding compacts. I simply don’t believe that a compact exists between web content providers and viewers. Fine. > [@DocCathode](#): > > :rolleyes: back at ya. You have fun building that strawman? No, this hasn’t been fun at all. It’s been extremely frustrating arguing in the face of stubborn selfishness. ---
**Author:** ![DocCathode](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/doccathode/32/18773_2.png) [@DocCathode](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DocCathode)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2013, 4:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-immoral-to-block-advertisements/660234/187 "2013-06-14T04:38:12Z")
> [@Isaacedwardleibowitz](#): > > My argument isn’t predicated on its existence. Even if you ignore the social compact aspect, making use of a website’s content while blocking its revenue-producing ads is wrong on such a basic level that I can’t believe I even have to articulate it Try. I don’t see it as wrong at all. > [@](#): > > You are manipulating something someone else is providing for you in exchange for something so that you can get it for nothing. What requires me to pay? If there is no social compact (and there isn’t), I never agreed to pay.ETA And if there is no compact, they never asked me to. Thus, we have something free that I have enjoyed for free. Where is the wrongdoing? ---
**Author:** ![Isaacedwardleibowitz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/ecb155/32.png) [@Isaacedwardleibowitz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Isaacedwardleibowitz)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2013, 4:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-immoral-to-block-advertisements/660234/188 "2013-06-14T04:41:19Z")
> [@DocCathode](#): > > Try. I don’t see it as wrong at all. I just did. What this boils down to is that we just have different values. ---
**Author:** ![Isaacedwardleibowitz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/ecb155/32.png) [@Isaacedwardleibowitz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Isaacedwardleibowitz)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2013, 4:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-immoral-to-block-advertisements/660234/189 "2013-06-14T04:43:52Z")
> [@DocCathode](#): > > What requires me to pay? If there is no social compact (and there isn’t), I never agreed to pay.ETA And if there is no compact, they never asked me to. Thus, we have something free that I have enjoyed for free. Where is the wrongdoing? We’ve gone over this about a dozen times. It’s not free. The cost - the slight inconvenience of having the ad on your screen - is right next to the content. It’s part of the package. ---
**Author:** ![Cazzle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cazzle/32/75_2.png) [@Cazzle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cazzle)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2013, 4:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-immoral-to-block-advertisements/660234/190 "2013-06-14T04:48:42Z")
> [@Isaacedwardleibowitz](#): > > It’s not. I applaud you for doing this. This type of conscientiousness is all too rare on the internet today. … said the guest to the Charter Member. ---
**Author:** ![DocCathode](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/doccathode/32/18773_2.png) [@DocCathode](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DocCathode)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2013, 4:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-immoral-to-block-advertisements/660234/191 "2013-06-14T04:50:50Z")
> [@Isaacedwardleibowitz](#): > > We’ve gone over this about a dozen times. It’s not free. The cost - the slight inconvenience of having the ad on your screen - is right next to the content. It’s part of the package. We’ve gone over this about a dozen times. Malware-bearing ads are not a “slight inconvenience”. Serious question- Is it also wrong for me to leave the room during television commercial breaks? ---
**Author:** ![Isaacedwardleibowitz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/ecb155/32.png) [@Isaacedwardleibowitz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Isaacedwardleibowitz)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2013, 4:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-immoral-to-block-advertisements/660234/192 "2013-06-14T04:51:46Z")
> [@Eliahna](#): > > … said the guest to the Charter Member. Please. I’m doing everything I’m being asked to do here. I’m not breaking down any barriers the SDMB has put up. I’m allowed to use this site without buying a membership, without adblock, and that’s what I’m doing. I wasn’t being sarcastic, by the way. I think it’s great to go the extra mile and pay. ---
**Author:** ![Isaacedwardleibowitz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/ecb155/32.png) [@Isaacedwardleibowitz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Isaacedwardleibowitz)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2013, 4:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-immoral-to-block-advertisements/660234/193 "2013-06-14T04:55:12Z")
> [@DocCathode](#): > > We’ve gone over this about a dozen times. Malware-bearing ads are not a “slight inconvenience”. > > Serious question- Is it also wrong for me to leave the room during television commercial breaks? Even if you don’t regard them as a slight inconvenience (in my never-using-adblock experience they are, but whatever), they are still the cost of using the site. If you don’t like them, you have options other than not paying the cost expected of you. You could email the site to complain about the ads. You could not use the site. No, it’s not. The advertisers are paying to put their ads out there. They count on a certain very small percentage responding to it. You have every right not to glance your eyes over them. Blocking them from ever showing up takes it to an entirely new level. The ad never existed in the first place. ---
**Author:** ![DocCathode](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/doccathode/32/18773_2.png) [@DocCathode](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DocCathode)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2013, 5:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-immoral-to-block-advertisements/660234/194 "2013-06-14T05:03:41Z")
> [@Isaacedwardleibowitz](#): > > Even if you don’t regard them as a slight inconvenience (in my never-using-adblock experience they are, but whatever), they are still the cost of using the site. > > . . . If you don’t like them, you have options other than not paying the cost expected of you. How are they the cost of the site? There is no social compact in which I am required to view ads. There is no legal contract in which I am required to view the ads. I’ve only come across one site with a request to turn of adblocker and view the ads. How are ads the cost of the site? ---
**Author:** ![Cazzle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cazzle/32/75_2.png) [@Cazzle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cazzle)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2013, 5:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-immoral-to-block-advertisements/660234/195 "2013-06-14T05:03:58Z")
> [@Isaacedwardleibowitz](#): > > Please. I’m doing everything I’m being asked to do here. I’m not breaking down any barriers the SDMB has put up. I’m allowed to use this site without buying a membership, without adblock, and that’s what I’m doing. I wasn’t being sarcastic, by the way. I think it’s great to go the extra mile and pay. I found it condescending, somebody on a free membership praising somebody who has maintained a continuous paid membership for what? Ten years now? Condescension may not have been intended, but condescension was what I read. ---
**Author:** ![artemis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/91b2a8/32.png) [@artemis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/artemis)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2013, 5:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-immoral-to-block-advertisements/660234/196 "2013-06-14T05:15:35Z")
> [@DocCathode](#): > > We’ve gone over this about a dozen times. Malware-bearing ads are not a “slight inconvenience”. You know the really amusing thing about my malware experience? The malware exploited Windows Messenger (that program sysadmins can use to send a message to all logged-in users on a network) to plaster my desktop with a cascading series of popup ads at approximately 5-minute intervals (thereby preventing me from getting my legitimate work done, as the popups were consuming most of my system resources and I couldn’t even see my desktop underneath them). That malware was ADWARE! And the ads? They weren’t sleazy: no Punch the Monkey ads, online casino ads, cheap home mortgage refi ads, or porno ads at all. ALL the ads were from companies nearly all of us would regard as completely reputable: Orbitz, Netflix, American Airlines, McDonalds. WTF?! What does it say about a company that it would allow its ads to be delivered by such a nefarious program? Do they believe that alienating their would-be customers is a sound business practice? What does it say about the third-party ad service that The Atlantic Monthly was relying on, that it would allow an ad containing an auto-executing file on their server? What does it say about The Atlantic Monthly, that they didn’t bother to use their own server to host the ads, and assume responsibility for the coding of ALL the content on their webpage? It says nothing good. ---
**Author:** ![Isaacedwardleibowitz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/ecb155/32.png) [@Isaacedwardleibowitz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Isaacedwardleibowitz)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2013, 5:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-immoral-to-block-advertisements/660234/197 "2013-06-14T05:17:44Z")
> [@Eliahna](#): > > I found it condescending, somebody on a free membership praising somebody who has maintained a continuous paid membership for what? Ten years now? Condescension may not have been intended, but condescension was what I read. Well the condescension wasn’t there. I was just correcting what I thought was the poster’s misconception of what I was saying. I never said people who paid for content were immoral. And I pay for content on several websites. ---
**Author:** ![Isaacedwardleibowitz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/ecb155/32.png) [@Isaacedwardleibowitz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Isaacedwardleibowitz)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2013, 5:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-immoral-to-block-advertisements/660234/198 "2013-06-14T05:19:27Z")
> [@DocCathode](#): > > How are they the cost of the site? There is no social compact in which I am required to view ads. There is no legal contract in which I am required to view the ads. I’ve only come across one site with a request to turn of adblocker and view the ads. How are ads the cost of the site? Because that’s the way the site is designed. The ads and the content are bundled together. The ads are the cost, the content is the benefit. The ads make the money to pay for the content. ---
**Author:** ![thicksantorum](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/65b543/32.png) [@thicksantorum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thicksantorum)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2013, 5:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-immoral-to-block-advertisements/660234/199 "2013-06-14T05:53:30Z")
I block ads just to annoy self-righteous folk. ---
**Author:** ![What\_the](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/f4b2a3/32.png) [@What\_the](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_the)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2013, 12:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-immoral-to-block-advertisements/660234/200 "2013-06-14T12:39:26Z")
I think that the results of the poll suggest pretty strongly that there is no social compact. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-immoral-to-block-advertisements/660234.md?page=9) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-immoral-to-block-advertisements/660234.md?page=11)