One man’s trash is another mans treasure. In this case it’s not even trash (power). If it has value to someone else why dismiss it as a barter tool for you?
The web is open and free because ads made it possible when the internet was first evolving. You only understand the internet as “free” because someone else was footing the bill to begin with. Ads can no longer support an open web as you once knew it. So, the web closes down (publishers gating their content - subscriptions) one by one and what do you end up with? A closed web. Plain and simple. Those who feel the web is “free” are under an illusion becaue they know and knew of nothing different. These people are ignorant and the ignorance is what is actually causing the web to close down faster. The more ignorance the faster it closes. I’m not saying ads and mining are great ways to pay the toll but it’s the only options since I don’t see any user here writing checks to websites out of good will. Salon at least is trying to keep the web “open” by giving options - and by the way, when did an option, in your control, ever offend you. Offended? Fine you don’t have to opt in. That’s like saying your pissed of because the restaurant accepts discover card when you only chose to carry Amex or cash.
There are a lot of people here who just don’t know what they are talking about and unfortunately they’ll never know who they are because they are always right. That’s fine because that’s the way the world works unfortunately and it’s human nature but a little honest research would do the greater community as a whole a great deal of good.
