The Philosophy Discussion Forum

As you can maybe see, we are experimenting with Google ads on the forum. If it works and doesn't have too much of a detrimental impact on the forum, then we'll make this a permanent feature and it will help us to pay the costs of keeping the forum online.

I'm always excited to see more advertising.

phyllo wrote: ↑Sat Mar 14, 2026 3:06 pm I'm always excited to see more advertising.

So, you’re basing your judgement on excitement rather than objectivity.
Based on objectivity, the benefit of defraying forum expenses outweighs the cost of briefly, periodically, interrupting your deep thoughts.

Objectively, even freeloaders who hate ads can get on board with the plan.
viewtopic.php?p=801827#p801827

I have to say these ads seem impressively untargeted. Kent County Council just asked me not to use bin bags in my recycling bins, now I am hoping somebody who is actually from Kent reads this so I can spread the good news on more fertile ground.

Walker wrote: ↑Sat Mar 14, 2026 3:39 pm

phyllo wrote: ↑Sat Mar 14, 2026 3:06 pm I'm always excited to see more advertising.

So, you’re basing your judgement on excitement rather than objectivity.
Based on objectivity, the benefit of defraying forum expenses outweighs the cost of briefly, periodically, interrupting your deep thoughts.

Objectively, even freeloaders who hate ads can get on board with the plan.
viewtopic.php?p=801827#p801827

Well, my time is valuable. And don't think that I'm the only one who considers their time to be valuable.

So if we sum the cost of these ads for the all the people who who are "interrupted" by them, I would say the cost far outweighs the revenue that will be generated.

Objectively, even freeloaders who hate ads can get on board with the plan.

If Rick decides to have ads, how would I avoid it, other than stop coming to the site?

FlashDangerpants wrote: ↑Sat Mar 14, 2026 3:54 pm I have to say these ads seem impressively untargeted. Kent County Council just asked me not to use bin bags in my recycling bins, now I am hoping somebody who is actually from Kent reads this so I can spread the good news on more fertile ground.

Inded so. And if I ever diversify into building fighter jets, I now know where to shop for semiconductors for them.

phyllo wrote: ↑Sat Mar 14, 2026 4:59 pm

Objectively, even freeloaders who hate ads can get on board with the plan.

If Rick decides to have ads, how would I avoid it, other than stop coming to the site?

Rather than avoid, embrace with The Pomodoro technique, designed for those with valuable time.

Hmm

Why would he tell me to use a time management technique?

Did he understand the nature of my objection to advertising?

phyllo wrote: ↑Sat Mar 14, 2026 10:21 pm Hmm

Why would he tell me to use a time management technique?

Who, me? I would never tell anyone to use a time management technique. Apart from myself, possibly. I could really do with one.

phyllo wrote: ↑Sat Mar 14, 2026 10:21 pm Did he understand the nature of my objection to advertising?

No, I have no idea about that.

No Rick, you didn't suggest Pomodoro as a remedy for ads.

phyllo wrote: ↑Sat Mar 14, 2026 10:21 pm Hmm

Why would he tell me to use a time management technique?

Did he understand the nature of my objection to advertising?

He did that because your time is valuable. Obviously.

phyllo wrote: ↑Sat Mar 14, 2026 4:52 pm Well, my time is valuable.

You wouldn't want to squander it with stupid questions now, would you?

With time management you can learn to focus, and you could have your cake and eat it too. Lest you ask another question with an obvious answer, that cake business means you would save your valuable time while also learning how to not be distracted by adverts.

In fact, this posting could be an advert for a time management technique, with you as the before, and your riches from saving your valuable time, the after.

phyllo wrote: ↑Sat Mar 14, 2026 4:59 pm

Objectively, even freeloaders who hate ads can get on board with the plan.

If Rick decides to have ads, how would I avoid it, other than stop coming to the site?

Browse using Brave Browser (i love that this post itself seems like an ad - genuinely just a software recommendation, I use Brave to avoid ads on reddit).

Seems to work okay on android.

Sometimes ads are valuable.

phyllo wrote: ↑Sun Mar 15, 2026 1:01 pm Sometimes ads are valuable.

I wouldn't deny that some people could value them - I mean, people value old vhs tapes for their collectible value, not to watch them, so anything is possible. And ads can be valuable for the website makers and other business people.

But what ads are valuable?