Let's Get Real About Privacy And Ads

[Commentary] People blow a gasket about ads served on Facebook, but think nothing about incessant interruption by ads on TV or the deluge of junk mail in their mailbox (the real one). And don't even get me started on the threat to your credit from using a credit card at that cute little bistro downtown. The fact is that you wish you had the control over your privacy in the real world that you have online. What you have to understand is that marketers are all about efficiency. Our job is to find the easiest way to convince you to buy our company's products or services. So yes, it is helpful to know that you love pictures of cats with dumb headlines, but only so I know to advertise on that site, not because I plan to blackmail you into buying my product.