Is Targeting good for humanity?

[Anonymous]

is the technology of Targeting advertisements good for humanity?

I don't see a plus point for the vast majority of cases. It is only overly beneficial for a merchant to sell items. The only time it can help is in terms of convenience to find something but the benefits of it seem marginal.

I don't want algorithms trying to understand my behavior and then trying to affect choice in a corporations favor.

Advertising is one venue for such technology, social media engagement is another dirty industry.

What are your thoughts?

[Nikki1989]

Targeting individuals or groups based on their race, religion, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender, or other personal characteristics can lead to discrimination and prejudice.

[Asker]

I sure hope someone wins that lawsuit against mega corporations.

[jshm2]

You don't seem to be having much luck with thoughts. Ad targeting is more cost effective than random targetting

[Asker]

why would i want to save corporations cost? Your one liner about cost shows how narrow your viewpoint is.

[Anonymous]

If you don't want to be targeted just ignore the ads or unplug. It's not that tough.

[Asker]

You want to unplug in a digital age of smartphones, apps, and websites? by the way, targeting does not solely work on ads you click. It can be anything from what you speak, where you are, what you bought, what you searched for... just a few basic examples.

That still completely misses the fact that the issue is not about a single individual, its about society and the world as a whole.

In which case you would be ironically correct - we should all unplug.