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Small-Scale Question Sunday for October 29, 2023

Do you have a dumb question that you're kind of embarrassed to ask in the main thread? Is there something you're just not sure about?

This is your opportunity to ask questions. No question too simple or too silly.

Culture war topics are accepted, and proposals for a better intro post are appreciated.

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Hey, better to have the option than not though, right?

No. It's not better. Ads are one of the largest evils we endure in our society. Mass psychological warfare leading to a destruction of attention, virtue, and restraint for the chase of short term profits by a class that's already wealthy. I say we ban all but text advertising, and keep it black and white.

Fun fact: that was the "sensible centrist" (literally Neoliberal) position back in the 30's. I was taken aback when I first read it, but now I think they kinda had a point.

Interesting! I'd love to read more about it if you recall where you found that.

I have also read occasional accounts similar to that idea in reaction to the original PR firms from Edward Bernays. Honestly if I could choose one figure to erase from history, he is high on the list. That sort of instrumentalist thinking about how to turn propaganda into a fundamental part of a market economy is truly evil.