Got this notification when I opened Chrome when coming back to my desk after lunch.

“We changed our privacy settings to allow us to snoop on what you’re looking at and shove you ads accordingly. Feel free to opt out, but we’ll probably opt you back in when you aren’t paying attention.”

  • LoreleiSankTheShip@lemmy.ml
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    11 months ago

    I’m not sure this applies to stuff like ads. Like, if you always prioritize foss and ethically sourced products, ads can’t really persuade you to buy certain things. And you make those decisions by doing research and buying local, or even better, making as much stuff as you can yourself.

    • archomrade [he/him]@midwest.social
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      11 months ago

      Targeted ads are designed to make you feel inadequate or incomplete. Even if it doesn’t convince you to buy the product advertised, it can still shift your expectations and world-view just by normalizing a certain type of consumption (or attitude, or media, ect).

      Just because you don’t spend money, doesn’t mean ads aren’t still subtly manipulating your expectations.

      It is a trillion dollar a year industry for a reason.

    • Corkyskog@sh.itjust.works
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      11 months ago

      Or you could just hate shopping. I hate it all, online, in store. I end up doing way too much research and it’s too mentally taxing. I buy a phone like once every 7 years because the stress of just shopping for it is annoying, not to mention the actual process of switching.

      I really need to buy clothes again… but that’s like my least favorite thing to shop for…

      • LoreleiSankTheShip@lemmy.ml
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        11 months ago

        Oh, I totally get you! I hate shopping as well, even though it’s a necessity. In fact, I dislike it so much that I’m actually learning to make my own clothes. I realise this isn’t for everyone and that not everybody has the time, but I’m sure there’s stuff that you can do on your own that you may actually enjoy!

        Have a nice day!

        • Corkyskog@sh.itjust.works
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          11 months ago

          That’s cool! I am guessing you’re female? Women’s clothes seems to be easier to make in my experience. Making a pair of men’s pants was a challenge, the materials were expensive and they didn’t even come out that great, and I almost never wear them.

          A sundress is like 10x easier to sew than a pair of pants.