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There’s been a long-standing struggle between those who pay for advertisements that subsidize newspapers, radio and web sites, etc. and readers/listeners who often consider advertisements a nuisance.
I recall a statement years ago by a media mogul criticizing the use of technology to skip over commercials, a practice he compared to robbing from sponsors who pay heavily for “spots” to publicize – with the hope of selling – their products in exchange for a few minutes of audience time.
Is there an element of hakaras hatov or some other obligation upon a listener/reader to pay attention to ads in return for whatever benefit the person is enjoying?
Is there an element of hakaras hatov or some other obligation upon a listener/reader to pay attention to ads in return for whatever benefit the person is enjoying?
Obligation? No.
Anyone who puts up a website does so with the full knowledge that not everyone will read the ads. Anyone who advertises knows that not everyone will read the ads.
Do you feel an obligation to read every advertising billboard along the highway?
Do you want to do it as a measure of hakaras hatov for those who put up the site? Then go ahead, no one’s stopping you.
The Wolf
Wolf, is hakaras hatov an obligation? Does it apply here? I think it’s a very valid question, and I don’t know why you pretty much dismissed it.
You are not obligated to read any ads. If the owners of this site wanted you to read ads they can force you to do so by placing the ad in such a way that would force you to at least scroll through it to reach the content. They choose not to.
Wolf, is hakaras hatov an obligation? Does it apply here? I think it’s a very valid question, and I don’t know why you pretty much dismissed it.
I don’t believe hakaros hatov to be an issue here, because they did not build the site for you as a favor or as an altrusitic endeavor to aid the community. It’s a business, plain and simple. You owe it no more hakaras hatov than you owe the electric company, the book printer, the supermarket owner or your internet provider.
The Wolf
Is the question on skipping ads that appear or is the question using technological means to make the ads not appear altogether?
So, tell me, blubluh, do you also make sure to read every advertisement in the paper and in every magazine you read? Do you make sure to read every billboard and “this section of road cleaned by ….” sign on the highway? When you go to a store, do you feel the need to read every sign they have up on the walls advertising their wares?
In no way do you owe anything to YWN. If you want to read the ads, then go ahead, no one is going to stop you. But obligated? No more than you’d be obligated to do all the other things mentioned.
The Wolf
do you also make sure to read every advertisement in the paper and in every magazine you read? Do you make sure to read every billboard and “this section of road cleaned by ….” sign on the highway? When you go to a store, do you feel the need to read every sign they have up on the walls advertising their wares?
That doesn’t address whether hakaras hatov applies in a situation where the intention wasn’t altruistic.
That doesn’t address whether hakaras hatov applies in a situation where the intention wasn’t altruistic.
No… but it just makes sure the OP is consistent. Those cases should be no different than YWN or anywhere else.
The Wolf
No… but it just makes sure the OP is consistent.
If it isn’t, is it anything more than ad hominem (pardon the pun)?
If it isn’t, is it anything more than ad hominem (pardon the pun)?
No, it’s not. If someone is trying to imply that there is some obligation when viewing this website, asking them to be consistent and apply the same rules to other situations is not an ad hominem attack.
The Wolf
It didn’t seem that you were asking him to do anything, rather asking *if* he does something.
Also, asking him to read *every* ad in the newspapers and websites he reads is unreasonable. Hakaras hatov has its limitations. If someone gives me a ride I need to express my appreciation, and perhaps to do him a favor in return, but not to give him my house. The OP merely asked if it’s appropriate hakaras hatov to look (“pay attention to”) the ads, but not to read each and every one, as you asked.
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