The problem is that when a for profit content site expand to the point past their core group their cost of operation goes up to the point where they are tempted to take more invasive ads. Look at how Yahoo of 2002 compares to Yahoo of 1996. Ads were smaller less invasive and service was better for the consumers. When content is "Free" on the web at a commercial media site that is trying to pay the bills with advertising revenue you pay with your bandwidth use and mental payment you make with your space in your head that you just rented out to the advertiser. It feels like we are getting less for our mental space. I have a really nasty feeling that in a couple of years an advertisers could tell who exactly is looking at a site by the use of a unique identifier in a CPU and OS and collect and sell the personal information about that person. This can lead to a non stop stream of ads that are personalized ever present and oppressive. I don't want to believe that the Internet will evolve into nothing but a tool of a huge ever present marketing tool for mass consumerism
I agree! The fear is there but I don't think it will be as bad as you think....like in "minority report" at least I hope not. These deals that intel are doing are very scary though i must say...**shiver**
Nice analysis! I think that the consumer market and demand for less intrusion in our country will overshadow these issues....I mean you are not the only one who is pissed.....it annoys everyone on the internet and HAS TO BE STOPPED!
The free market will make that happen. I will NEVER use orbitz because of this.