The blog post "What if we made advertising illegal?" explores the potential societal benefits of a world without advertising. It argues that advertising manipulates consumers, fuels overconsumption and unsustainable growth, promotes harmful products, and pollutes public spaces and our minds. By eliminating advertising, the author suggests we could reclaim public space, reduce consumption and waste, foster more meaningful cultural production, and encourage healthier lifestyles. This shift would necessitate new funding models for media and cultural institutions, potentially leading to more diverse and democratic forms of content creation.
TikTok was reportedly preparing for a potential shutdown in the U.S. on Sunday, January 15, 2025, according to information reviewed by Reuters. This involved discussions with cloud providers about data backup and transfer in case a forced sale or ban materialized. However, a spokesperson for TikTok denied the report, stating the company had no plans to shut down its U.S. operations. The report suggested these preparations were contingency plans and not an indication that a shutdown was imminent or certain.
HN commenters are largely skeptical of a TikTok shutdown actually happening on Sunday. Many believe the Reuters article misrepresented the Sunday deadline as a shutdown deadline when it actually referred to a deadline for ByteDance to divest from TikTok. Several users point out that previous deadlines have come and gone without action, suggesting this one might also be uneventful. Some express cynicism about the US government's motives, suspecting political maneuvering or protectionism for US social media companies. A few also discuss the technical and logistical challenges of a shutdown, and the potential legal battles that would ensue. Finally, some commenters highlight the irony of potential US government restrictions on speech, given its historical stance on free speech.
Summary of Comments ( 1042 )
https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=43595269
HN users generally support the idea of banning or heavily regulating advertising, citing its manipulative nature, negative impact on mental health, contribution to consumerism, and distortion of media. Some propose alternative funding models for media and other services, such as subscriptions, micropayments, or public funding. Several commenters acknowledge the difficulty of implementing such a ban, particularly given the entrenched power of the advertising industry and the potential for black markets. A few dissenting voices argue that advertising plays a vital role in informing consumers and supporting free services, and that a ban would be overly restrictive and harmful to the economy. Several discuss the potential unintended consequences of such a drastic measure.
The Hacker News post "What if we made advertising illegal?" generated a lively discussion with a variety of perspectives on the potential impacts of such a ban. Several commenters explored the practical implications and unintended consequences.
One compelling line of discussion revolved around the definition of "advertising" and the difficulty of drawing a clear line. Commenters debated whether things like movie trailers, book reviews, or even open-source project announcements would be considered advertising under a hypothetical ban. This led to concerns about censorship and restrictions on free speech. Some suggested that a ban might be too broad and could stifle innovation and the spread of information. Others proposed narrower definitions focused on manipulative or misleading advertising practices.
Another key theme was the potential impact on the funding of free services. Many commenters pointed out that advertising revenue supports many websites, apps, and other services that people rely on. They questioned how these services would be funded in the absence of advertising, with suggestions ranging from subscriptions and donations to government funding. Some expressed skepticism about the viability of these alternatives, particularly for smaller or niche platforms.
Several commenters discussed the potential benefits of an ad-free world, such as reduced consumerism, less cluttered online experiences, and decreased exposure to potentially harmful or misleading information. However, others argued that advertising plays a valuable role in informing consumers about products and services and driving competition.
Some commenters also explored historical examples of advertising bans or restrictions, such as the ban on tobacco advertising. They debated the effectiveness of these measures and their relevance to a broader advertising ban.
A few comments touched on the potential for black markets and other unintended consequences, such as the rise of influencer marketing or other forms of disguised advertising.
Overall, the comments on Hacker News reflect a complex and nuanced understanding of the role of advertising in society. While some expressed support for a ban, many others raised concerns about its feasibility and potential negative consequences. The discussion highlighted the need for careful consideration of the definition of advertising and the potential impacts on various stakeholders, including consumers, businesses, and the media.