>>So - I don't trust the ads, and don't want to encourage the malpractice.
>
>The point where we disagree is at the most fundamental: that ads are "pointless." I don't believe they are. We disagree about this, no problem and no need to bat it back and forth.

The way they are now, most of them are (which is why I say "malpractice"). The few ones that are decent and actually do the job of politely informing a potential customer (I also despise the consumer, customer is a different matter) of a product.

While the general idea of advertising was maybe good - on every bazaar sellers are trying to draw attention - the practice has pushed several envelopes beyond their limits, and the beast has run amok a few dozen rounds. If the few honest and decent ones are still around, they aren't heard in the general roar.

Since the whole industry has shown no signs of a will to police itself, nor is there any general will to do anything about it, I just rant and go on my curmudgeon way. And will do my shopping my way. If the sellers are willing to spot the trend, fine, if not, also fine. I know I'm not alone in this - there are more and more people who are just as disgusted with most of the ads as we are.