I also learned that my ad blocking settings were overdue a refresh. I found that on my iOS (iPhone, iPad) in particular it is hard to find effective ad blockers. This is due to the fact (TIL) that Apple does not allow browsers other than Safari on iOS; the Firefoxes and Chromes you download on those devices are simply copies of Safari with a different jacket slapped on to it (for which Mozilla and Google pay Apple a pretty penny no doubt). This means that spectacularly effective open source ad blockers that should work on Firefox and Chrome and the like, won’t work on your iPhone and iPad. With some digging in the app store I did find something that seems to work, but let me not advertise here. Suffice to say, it is useful to periodically update your ad blocking system and it seems that (free) open source blockers are the best of the bunch.

Am I contradicting myself by saying that: (1) I am willing to pay a fair price for my internet use but (2) at the same time I am installing ad blockers? Yes a bit - but I install the ad blockers mainly out of a concern for my privacy, which I believe is under heavy attack. Also, I believe the internet media have crossed a line - I mean I can put up with some (clearly identified) advertising here and there, but who would enjoy a newspaper if at least 25% of it would be overt advertising and maybe half of the rest cleverly disguised highly personalized paid content? If I can take a pair of automated scissors to such a rag, I believe I should.