> "There have to be other business models that free up the internet for what it was meant for: free exchange of information.”
Do there? The internet began as a government- and academic-sponsored network. Even the worldwide web, you couldn't have a commercial website until 1993.
Serious question then - where do you trace this back to then? Companies abusing the freemium business model? Companies not having enough revenue to support their start-up?
Where do you think the internet started having to rely on advertising? I'm curious to hear your thoughts on it.
You don't make a "very strong case", your post come off as ranty. Your analysis of why ads aren't discussed on terms that suit you better is, frankly, condescending and arrogant. Find any discussion of tracking or ads, and there will be lively discussion of blockers and plenty of posts that are very critical of advertising in general.
Those two points might serve better as a model of explanation of a few down votes than a grand conspiracy on behalf of advertising would.
