# 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:** 7
**Author:** ![Isaacedwardleibowitz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/ecb155/32.png) [@Isaacedwardleibowitz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Isaacedwardleibowitz)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2013, 1:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-immoral-to-block-advertisements/660234/121 "2013-06-12T01:14:25Z")
> [@DocCathode](#): > > You aren’t wrong because we disagree with you. But, you are wrong. If you need proof that other people feel the way I do, listen to [NPR’s recent On the Media](http://www.onthemedia.org/2013/may/10/adblock-plus-internets-ad-gatekeeper/) program. Adblock was one of the topics (I think it might have provoked this thread). The host, Brooke Gladstone, pretty clearly feels the way I do. ---
**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 12, 2013, 1:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-immoral-to-block-advertisements/660234/122 "2013-06-12T01:16:22Z")
> [@Isaacedwardleibowitz](#): > > Leaving the issue of character aside, using adblocker has very likely contributed to the diminution of newspapers across the country. You have a cite for that? > [@](#): > > The Plain-Dealer laying off half its staff, the Times-Picayune going four days a week, etc. I think most people here would agree this is bad for our entire society. Prove that was due to the use of adblockers. ---
**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 12, 2013, 1:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-immoral-to-block-advertisements/660234/123 "2013-06-12T01:20:28Z")
> [@Isaacedwardleibowitz](#): > > If you need proof that other people feel the way I do, listen to [NPR’s recent On the Media](http://www.onthemedia.org/2013/may/10/adblock-plus-internets-ad-gatekeeper/) program. Adblock was one of the topics (I think it might have provoked this thread). The host, Brooke Gladstone, pretty clearly feels the way I do. I believe other people agree with you. They are also wrong. No compact exists. ---
**Author:** ![Isaacedwardleibowitz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/ecb155/32.png) [@Isaacedwardleibowitz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Isaacedwardleibowitz)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2013, 1:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-immoral-to-block-advertisements/660234/124 "2013-06-12T01:36:48Z")
> [@DocCathode](#): > > I’m cheating no one and I’ll thank you not cast aspersions on my character. I’d like to return to this because I think what I said came out wrong. I don’t think you or anyone in this thread who thinks adblock is okay is of poor character. Since you’re Dopers, I assume you’re decent people. Most likely, you only have your opinions because you haven’t thought much about what it’s like to be one of the content-producers for the websites you visit. If you spent hours producing the content, instead of having it magically appear on your computer screens when you push a button, you would feel differently about this. ---
**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 12, 2013, 1:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-immoral-to-block-advertisements/660234/125 "2013-06-12T01:41:31Z")
> [@Isaacedwardleibowitz](#): > > Most likely, you only have your opinions because you haven’t thought much about what it’s like to be one of the content-producers for the websites you visit. If you spent hours producing the content, instead of having it magically appear on your computer screens when you push a button, you would feel differently about this. I’ve thought about it plenty. I know that the artists behind, for example, the web comics I love work very hard. That doesn’t change the fact that I never agreed to pay them for the right to view their work. ---
**Author:** ![Isaacedwardleibowitz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/ecb155/32.png) [@Isaacedwardleibowitz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Isaacedwardleibowitz)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2013, 1:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-immoral-to-block-advertisements/660234/126 "2013-06-12T01:47:05Z")
> [@DocCathode](#): > > You have a cite for that? > > Prove that was due to the use of adblockers. I said “very likely.” I don’t have proof, but it seems certain to me that adblock has contributed to journalism’s struggles today. Practically every newspaper in the country (even the New York Times) is dealing with declining revenues now. Since a large portion of internet users use adblock (as this survey shows), and all newspapers depend on online ads for part of their revenue, the use of adblock has contributed to newspapers’ declining revenues. ---
**Author:** ![Isaacedwardleibowitz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/ecb155/32.png) [@Isaacedwardleibowitz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Isaacedwardleibowitz)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2013, 1:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-immoral-to-block-advertisements/660234/127 "2013-06-12T01:49:27Z")
> [@DocCathode](#): > > I’ve thought about it plenty. I know that the artists behind, for example, the web comics I love work very hard. That doesn’t change the fact that I never agreed to pay them for the right to view their work. You don’t have to pay them. You only have to let an ad occupy part of your screen for a little bit. You are probably aware that the people who produce these websites _expect_ you to view the ads, right? Since you are taking something from them - their content - don’t you think the right thing to do is to do what they expect of you, especially when it’s so easy to do so? In fact, you can _passively_ fulfill their expectation! ---
**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 12, 2013, 2:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-immoral-to-block-advertisements/660234/128 "2013-06-12T02:36:40Z")
> [@Isaacedwardleibowitz](#): > > You don’t have to pay them. You only have to let an ad occupy part of your screen for a little bit. Doing so would expose me to malware. > [@](#): > > You are probably aware that the people who produce these websites _expect_ you to view the ads, right? I disagree. The folks whose work I love are smart enough to realize people use adblockers. > [@](#): > > Since you are taking something from them - their content What am I taking? I take nothing. The content is still there, unharmed when I’m done viewing it [/QUOTE] > [@](#): > > - don’t you think the right thing to do is to do what they expect of you, especially when it’s so easy to do so? In fact, you can _passively_ fulfill their expectation! Again, they do not expect me to do it. And exposing myself to malware doesn’t rate as “easy” in my book ---
**Author:** ![Mathematics](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f6c823/32.png) [@Mathematics](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mathematics)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2013, 2:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-immoral-to-block-advertisements/660234/129 "2013-06-12T02:44:00Z")
> [@Rushgeekgirl](#): > > To the OP: Are the results much like you expected? Not at all. I’m still processing the arguments in this thread. I’m pretty happy with it though. I’m surprised this many people are interested in this. In general, I guess I’m swayed to the idea that it is not necessarily immoral but it is in my best interest to support sites I enjoy one way or another. I should really sign up for a membership to this site, by the by . . . ---
**Author:** ![Isaacedwardleibowitz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/ecb155/32.png) [@Isaacedwardleibowitz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Isaacedwardleibowitz)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2013, 2:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-immoral-to-block-advertisements/660234/130 "2013-06-12T02:47:48Z")
> [@DocCathode](#): > > Doing so would expose me to malware. Using the internet exposes you to malware. > [@DocCathode](#): > > I disagree. The folks whose work I love are smart enough to realize people use adblockers. Everyone who produces web content knows people use adblockers. But they would rather they not, and they expect them to look at the ads in exchange for consuming the content. > [@DocCathode](#): > > What am I taking? I take nothing. The content is still there, unharmed when I’m done viewing it We can quibble over the definition of taking if you want. It took someone hours of work to make something, and you are using it. The consumers of the content are, as a whole, taking the hours and the effort it took to make the content. Do you think it’s alright to download music or books without giving something in return? The same argument would apply there. ---
**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 12, 2013, 3:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-immoral-to-block-advertisements/660234/131 "2013-06-12T03:00:47Z")
> [@Isaacedwardleibowitz](#): > > Using the internet exposes you to malware. I try to minimize that risk. Did you not see the cite about ads and malware posted in this very thread? > [@](#): > > Everyone who produces web content knows people use adblockers. But they would rather they not, and they expect them to look at the ads in exchange for consuming the content. They expect them to look at ads? Horse manure! They might hope and wish people looked at ads. But they don’t expect them to. > [@](#): > > We can quibble over the definition of taking if you want. It took someone hours of work to make something, and you are using it. The consumers of the content are, as a whole, taking the hours and the effort it took to make the content. > > Do you think it’s alright to download music or books without giving something in return? The same argument would apply there. The hell it would. If I view content on a website without viewing ads, I haven’t violated copyright laws. If I download music or books without paying, I have violate copyright law. ---
**Author:** ![Isaacedwardleibowitz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/ecb155/32.png) [@Isaacedwardleibowitz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Isaacedwardleibowitz)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2013, 3:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-immoral-to-block-advertisements/660234/132 "2013-06-12T03:13:15Z")
> [@DocCathode](#): > > I try to minimize that risk. Did you not see the cite about ads and malware posted in this very thread? Yes, some ads carry malware with them, but that doesn’t justify blocking all ads across the internet. There are services that warn you when you arrive at a website that is known for carrying malware. If a site does that, don’t go to it. > [@DocCathode](#): > > They expect them to look at ads? Horse manure! They might hope and wish people looked at ads. But they don’t expect them to. They do expect them to. They know many of them won’t, but they put up the ads in the expectation that readers who consume their content will support the site by allowing the ads to appear on the screen. It’s basic kindness. People have spent hours making something for you, and they expect - maybe you would rather I use the word hope? - for you to view some ads in exchange. Be nice, and do what they hope for you to do! It’s not too much to ask! > [@DocCathode](#): > > The hell it would. If I view content on a website without viewing ads, I haven’t violated copyright laws. If I download music or books without paying, I have violate copyright law. Do you base your morality on written laws? Do you think that downloading music and books without giving something in return would be alright if there were no laws against it? It’s the same thing. You are taking content someone worked to make, and you should give something in exchange. Lucky for you, people who put content on websites only expect you to glance at a couple ads. After spending a couple days as the sole advocate of beleaguered journalists and other internet content-makers in this thread, I feel I’ve laid out every aspect of my argument and am now just rehashing things I wrote two pages ago and quibbling over definitions. I’m done now. I hope I’ve at least persuaded people reading this thread to think twice about the effect that adblocking has on people who get their livelihoods creating the content you consume and seem to value so little. ---
**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 12, 2013, 3:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-immoral-to-block-advertisements/660234/133 "2013-06-12T03:22:30Z")
> [@Isaacedwardleibowitz](#): > > Yes, some ads carry malware with them, but that doesn’t justify blocking all ads across the internet. Yes, it does. > [@](#): > > There are services that warn you when you arrive at a website that is known for carrying malware. If a site does that, don’t go to it. Have you not read this thread? The sites get their ads from a third party site. The Straight Dope has been known to have ads that carry malware. > [@](#): > > They do expect them to. They know many of them won’t, but they put up the ads in the expectation that readers who consume their content will support the site by allowing the ads to appear on the screen. > > It’s basic kindness. People have spent hours making something for you, and they expect - maybe you would rather I use the word hope? Yes, you should use the word hope. They don’t expect us to view ads. They expect us to use ad blockers. They do however hope for us to view ads. Remember, say what you mean and mean what you say. > [@](#): > > After spending a couple days as the sole advocate of beleaguered journalists and other internet content-makers in this thread, I feel I’ve laid out every aspect of my argument and am now just rehashing things I wrote two pages ago and quibbling over definitions. I’m done now. I hope I’ve at least persuaded people reading this thread to think twice about the effect that adblocking has on people who get their livelihoods creating the content you consume and seem to value so little. I value the Unspeakable Vault Of Doom a great deal. I still won’t view ads. ---
**Author:** ![Isaacedwardleibowitz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/ecb155/32.png) [@Isaacedwardleibowitz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Isaacedwardleibowitz)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2013, 3:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-immoral-to-block-advertisements/660234/134 "2013-06-12T03:27:15Z")
> [@DocCathode](#): > > Yes, you should use the word hope. They don’t expect us to view ads. They expect us to use ad blockers. They do however hope for us to view ads. Remember, say what you mean and mean what you say. Since you insist on writing in this arrogant way, I’ll pop my head in to say one last thing. One of Merriam-Webster’s [definitions of expect](http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/expect): to consider reasonable, due, or necessary \ ---
**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 12, 2013, 3:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-immoral-to-block-advertisements/660234/135 "2013-06-12T03:32:21Z")
> [@Isaacedwardleibowitz](#): > > Since you insist on writing in this arrogant way, I’ll pop my head in to say one last thing. > > One of Merriam-Webster’s [definitions of expect](http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/expect): > > to consider reasonable, due, or necessary \ This would be more believable if you hadn’t admitted yourself that you should have used the word hope. ---
**Author:** ![Isaacedwardleibowitz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/ecb155/32.png) [@Isaacedwardleibowitz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Isaacedwardleibowitz)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2013, 3:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-immoral-to-block-advertisements/660234/136 "2013-06-12T03:34:12Z")
> [@DocCathode](#): > > This would be more believable if you hadn’t admitted yourself that you should have used the word hope. I asked if you would prefer I use hope because you didn’t seem to be familiar with that definition of expect. I always used it that way and I used it that way again after the clause asking if you’d prefer hope. After your post, I went to Merriam-Webster because I knew that was one of the definitions, and voila, I found it there. ---
**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 12, 2013, 3:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-immoral-to-block-advertisements/660234/137 "2013-06-12T03:36:44Z")
I, for one, totally believe that last post. ---
**Author:** ![Isaacedwardleibowitz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/ecb155/32.png) [@Isaacedwardleibowitz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Isaacedwardleibowitz)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2013, 3:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-immoral-to-block-advertisements/660234/138 "2013-06-12T03:37:56Z")
> [@DocCathode](#): > > I, for one, totally believe that last post. Just as I expected. ---
**Author:** ![Rushgeekgirl](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rushgeekgirl/32/3715_2.png) [@Rushgeekgirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rushgeekgirl)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2013, 12:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-immoral-to-block-advertisements/660234/139 "2013-06-13T00:56:24Z")
> [@Isaacedwardleibowitz](#): > > I’ll keep saying what I’ve been saying all along. Just because you didn’t sign any physical compact doesn’t mean one doesn’t exist. > > There are thousands of tiny social compacts that exist in our society that aren’t on paper. > > I have a compact with the guy sitting next to me on the bus that I’ll cover my mouth when I cough. I have a compact with the guy walking behind me toward a door that I won’t let it close in his face. I have a compact with my roommates that I won’t leave a mountain of dirty dishes in the sink. > > These exist for the benefit of all of us, but you won’t find them in writing anywhere. But we can all agree that people who don’t follow them are jerks. > > Similarly, a compact exists between us and the websites we enjoy. We consume their content, which was made possible by advertising revenue, in exchange for _simply letting their ads rest on our computer screen for a little bit._ > > May I offer some unbridled social criticism here? The reaction of many people in this thread to my arguments - that to even consider that blocking ads is immoral is ridiculous; that to say we have a duty to make sacrifices for writing and journalism is “shit” - is part of a dangerous streak of excessive individualism in our culture. > > Who’s to say I don’t have the right not to look at ads, which bother me a little bit? To block the parts of the page I don’t like to enjoy the parts I do? Why should I be thinking about social responsibility when I surf the internet? Heck, if the ad-revenue for content system collapses, that’s their problem. They have to figure it out. I have no responsibility to keep it alive, even though I’ve benefited from it for years. Your problem is you’re seeing contracts where there are no contracts. You thinking something is a contract is not making it one, no matter how hard you focus your energy. If you want your product to be seen, you best make it worth viewing. You’ll get what you deserve. Your ware is not what your ad is selling. See that’s where you’re confused here. We click to view your work we’re entering a “social contract” to view your work, not to view your advertisements. It’s rude of you to assume it’s our responsibility. Face the facts. Most of us have no qualms about blocking ads, mostly because they’re annoying. Even if they’re short and DON’T screw up our computer. I hate them because they’re distracting and often they slow my poor old eMachine to a halt for much longer than if I was running high dollar internet on a new machine. I don’t get much time to enjoy my surfing and I damn sure don’t want to waste it waiting for ads, and especially since I will never, ever purchase anything from an ad. I don’t buy junk food, I don’t need a car, I have my personal favorite hair and skin products, I don’t need coupons I don’t care if my cereal is “heart-healthy” and the ten foods for “superhealth” don’t interest me. Ads are crap, and I am not the least bit interested in crap. If you have ads on your site I will block them. If I can’t block them I will not view your site. If your product is worth purchasing and I can afford it, I will gladly pay. I paid to be a member of SDMB for a while, and I’d still be one if I could afford it, because this site is worth that little bit of money. If they had unblockable ads though? I would not come back. This is your public speaking. Listen, don’t argue. ---
**Author:** ![Rushgeekgirl](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rushgeekgirl/32/3715_2.png) [@Rushgeekgirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rushgeekgirl)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2013, 1:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-immoral-to-block-advertisements/660234/140 "2013-06-13T01:19:02Z")
> [@Isaacedwardleibowitz](#): > > You agree to the compact with the websites by consuming their content, which was made possible only by advertising revenue. No, no NO. Someone has made their site only possible through advertising. That is failure on the part of the provider, not the consumer. Find a better way to do your business if you want your product to be seen. You’ve seen now by this poll that you’re fighting a losing battle. Accept it and find another way to afford sharing your content. Most of us refuse to accept the terms of the contract you’ve imagined. The sites that get my donations are worth it. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-immoral-to-block-advertisements/660234.md?page=6) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-immoral-to-block-advertisements/660234.md?page=8)