Agreed - the only reason ad-blocking is even a thing is because:
- Overuse of tracking, including nefarious attempts to de-anonymise users through excessive fingerprinting
- Crappy, distracting, in-your-face ads
- Ad networks serving malware (rare, obv)
If ad networks focussed on ridding the world of these issues, more people would be happy to let the ads through and help support content creators through ads.
I hate them, no matter if they track me or are in-your-face.
I will always use an ad-blocker, but allow ads if a site asks me to do so, and I enjoy the content.
But I realize I'm probably in a minority here. Most users would not bother with adblockers if ads would not degrade the web experience so much.
Then block tracking, but don't remove the advertising content. Or propose a solution that doesn't involve paying them with a worthless cryptocurrency, unless you'd like your salary to be paid in BAT.
Advertising is literally an attempt to manipulate people in a way that subverts their interests. It's like you are making money by giving a "free" concert wherein you are paid to kick the audience in the nuts and now you are shocked that people are starting to wear a cup.
This means that advertising inherently is not something you "opt into" when you visit a page. You are being tracked everywhere you go.
That's the problem brave solves, but it accepts that removing ads without another system to reward content creators is important - hence BAT.