I'm probably in minority but...

Well, here goes. I no longer enjoy coming here and it's not because of the people...you're all great! No, it's because of what stares me in the face when I come here. It's not the ads...those don't bother me in particular...it's what some of them show/suggest/ or are about. Guns and weapons, even for games, are not pleasant when one is having breakfast...bad for the digestion.

For what it's worth, I don't believe war is a suitable game...with or without actual bullets. It develops a 'them or me' mentality and creates hostility that shows up in other ways. If we're going to instill anything in people, let's instill a bit more respect and kindness by rewarding (yes, even in a game) that kind of behavior.

Well, I've said my piece...for whatever good it may do...even to get others to thinking along friendlier lines (well, I can dream, can't I?).

Sandi Bowman

[Dien Rice]

Originally Posted by Sandi Bowman

Well, here goes. I no longer enjoy coming here and it's not because of the people...you're all great! No, it's because of what stares me in the face when I come here. It's not the ads...those don't bother me in particular...it's what some of them show/suggest/ or are about. Guns and weapons, even for games, are not pleasant when one is having breakfast...bad for the digestion.

For what it's worth, I don't believe war is a suitable game...with or without actual bullets. It develops a 'them or me' mentality and creates hostility that shows up in other ways. If we're going to instill anything in people, let's instill a bit more respect and kindness by rewarding (yes, even in a game) that kind of behavior.

Well, I've said my piece...for whatever good it may do...even to get others to thinking along friendlier lines (well, I can dream, can't I?).

Hi Sandi,

I don't think everyone sees the same ads ... (I've never seen those ads you describe, for instance.)

However, I can block ads that are inappropriate. Some ads I've seen are kind of strange (and wrongly targeted) so I blocked 'em. Please let me know which ads you object to - in particular, what I need to know to block them is the URL of the website the ad goes to. (That's usually shown down near the bottom of the ad somewhere...) Of course, everyone should feel free to make suggestions... If you feel it is more appropriate, you can send me a private message or email ([email protected]) to let me know...

I personally am a big fan of this forum, and need to keep it going to feed my addiction to reading the great stuff you and many others post! So I have a self-interest in trying to keep everybody happy...

Best wishes,

Dien

Sandy,

I'm with Dien on this one. Haven't seen any ads such as you've discussed! The strongest one has been for a Teriyaki franchise.

BTW.. saw a recent study a couple of weeks ago in the news.. Violent games do not cause violent people. (Not even in kids.)

Pete

I am seeing the ad Sandi refers to right now. But only after I went back to actually view it. So, thank you Dien. I think the great content in this forum has helped to boost my immune system to banner ads and fly right past those war games. But for Sandi and others, maybe you could pull the plug on 'em.

Rod

Pete, have to disagree with you on the violence thing. Just go to a playground and see who/what the kids are imitating in their play. Better yet, try reading the news stories about all the copycat imitators and who/what THEY SAY they are trying to be like. It's frightening!

Studies can be frauds, too, don't forget...and many of them are just that. The media only reports on those things that fit their agenda...everything else is relegated to mini-spots and hidden places or not mentioned at all. You see, that kind of whitewash of things fits their sadistic movie ads, weaponry ads, ads for violent games and sites, etc ad nauseum. Simply because someone says it is so doesn't make it so.

Rod, you didn't happen to get the URL of that ad, did you?

Thanks, Dien, for the response and willingness to modify things. You're the #1 reason this forum maintains it's quality.

Sandi Bowman

Dien,

Thanks for wanting to please everyone.

Let me let you in on something...

Sshhh... listen. Are you listening. Just a tad closer. Right?

Ok... psst... you cannot please everyone.

Sandi doesn't like ads with guns on them or something. Why? Probably thinks they Kill or some such. Not that I've ever seen a firearm jump up off the ground by itself and go after someone, mind you. But who knows in the USA.

Here's what else kills people - or I should say, people perish as a result of... Cars. Yep. Better ban ads for those Killers.

And while you're at it... ban all religious ads of any persuasion. All political ads too. All ads for cleaning products as I find them offensive. All Biz Op ads need to go because some people find them tempting and go into debt to acquire them - debt they cannot really afford (you don't want to be a part of sending someone bankrupt do you?). Oh... better also ban all ads for any kinds of foods - people might get fat. Ban health item ads as well because they haven't been Approved by a bunch of normal everyday people sitting in an office cubical who call themselves the FDA.

Ban soft drink ads too. Everyone knows - without actually knowing of course - that Coke rots your gut. And the sugar is bad for teeth - and the Nutrasweet bad for everything else.

Ban all ads for computer stuff. Stop encouraging people to sit in front of the screen for long periods. They'll get thrombosis, don't you know.

Ban ads for Lego and other similar toys with small bits. Children could swallow them, or be poisoned by Chinese lead. OMG. For the children, Dien. For the children. Do it for them, pleeaaaase.

Of course, banning sex ads and Personals Ads goes without saying.

Shampoo ads. Tampon - ahem, feminine hygiene - ads have to go too. So do Condom ads. Even Brill cream ads. Remove them.

I don't use Brill cream. But that doesn't matter. I don't like it being advertised to me - not that is has, but just in case, fair enough?

Get rid of the Google ads too. One of them right now is for Chocolate Truffles - encouraging people to consume candy adds to the diabetes problem, right? Get rid of Google Ads ASAP!!!

Ban ads offering DHMO - dihydrogen monoxide. Don't you know how many people died from that each year? Why just last year 110 people died in New Zealand alone from DHMO ingestion. Even in New York under supervisions DHMO ingestion resulted in 159 deaths between 1987 and 2007. Besides baning ads offering DHMO, public warnings should be posted about this substance so people can avoid it at all costs.

Sarcasm off /

Ok first. DHMO is water. Ok. You know... dihydrogen = H2 and monoxied = O. H2O. So don't get all flustered about it.

The rest. Dien, you cannot please everyone And if you try you will turn yourself into a pretzel. The board will end up like that Xmas Show from Southpark - where they were all walking around the stage in random patterns while wearing unisex white jumpsuits - so as not to Offend anyone.

Sandi complains about everything it seems. If it's not an Internet Marketer, it's a product they recommended, or something they said in an email, or whatever. It must be a slow week for Sandi with internet marketing emails to complain about, so she complains about a banner ad you have.

Sheesh...

Michael Ross

BTW, just for your reading pleasure here's a bunch of links to guns and knives and stuff.... Enjoy

www.ruger-firearms.com
www.remington.com
www.smith-wesson.com
www.tikka.fi
www.browning.com
www.hideawayknife.com
www.emersonknives.com

www.kurtsaxon.com
www.garynorth.com
www.mises.org
www.lewrockwell.com

Michael, for your information it's been anything BUT a slow week. I've spent endless hours trying to get colossal snafus cleared up with a company I purchased a bed from. It took TEN different calls to even trace who had shipped the stupid thing! After it arrived, the shipper refused to complete the contracted services so I sent it back. Two weeks later it arrives again today...and with the wrong cover and other problems...not as advertised. That's just one for starters...In so many words, you're full of it.

As for the marketer, I tried EVERYTHING short of advertising the problem, to which I had to finally resort, to get them to stop harrassing me, filling up my mailbox so that my time-sensitive, needed, mail was delayed until it was too late (and cost me late fees). So, yes, I complained but only after MONTHS of efforts, and many long-distance calls to their offices and so on to get them to quit. I don't believe, given the circumstances, that I was unreasonable.

As for the gun thing...if you'd had a gun put to your head and was saved by the grace of God from certain death, you'd dislike them, too. I have fired guns, of necessity, years ago...I'm a crack shot, left or right handed. My husband used to particpate in (and win) many fast draw competitions. We gave up guns years ago in favor of other defenses, and have no regrets. Yes, I know full well what guns can do and I don't believe they are suitable for viewing during my breakfast, thank you. Thus the mild complaint.

Have no idea what emails and products you're referring to as I don't recall doing any complaining, in recent years, other than as shown above. People mix me up with other Sandi, Sandy, Sandra, Sondra etc Bowman's all the time so it doesn't surprise me that you probably got some of it mixed up, too. Do not confuse a statement of my views on a topic of discussion with complaining...they're not the same thing at all.

Don't pre-judge folks unless you KNOW ALL THE CIRCUMSTANCES, Michael. I'm a survivor, trust me on that, young man.

Sandi Bowman

Hi Sandi

I havent been here that long but I have to say so far, I really enjoy your posts. I hope you do not go away. I keep popping in eager to see if you or Ankesh have anything new to say.

Like I learned somewhere else when it comes to what others say, take whats usefull with you, leave the rest.

Brett

[Dien Rice]

Originally Posted by Sandi Bowman

Rod, you didn't happen to get the URL of that ad, did you?

Yes, I need the URL to be able to block it... If anyone has a URL of an ad they'd like blocked and you don't want to post it, you can PM or email me...

I think I'm more-or-less happy to block anything that's not really "relevant"... Google's "contextual" advertising doesn't always get it "right"!

Best wishes,

Dien

[Dien Rice]

Originally Posted by MichaelRoss

Ok... psst... you cannot please everyone.

Hi Michael,

It is true, you can't please everyone! But I'm generally happy to block non-relevant ads... (There may be an upper limit to how many I can block, so at some point I may have to become choosy if that's the case...)

Cheers,

Dien