Hacker Newsnew | past | comments | ask | show | jobs | submitlogin

I don't see any flaw in the analogy.


Not looking at an advertisement is not the same as stealing.


Except having the ads there is the cost for the content you're looking at.


When you buy stuff in a store, the items remain the property of the store until you pay. If you take them without paying then you're stealing. This is firmly enshrined in both morality and law.

When you view something with ads, they send you the stuff first, on the hope or assumption that you will later view the ads. No property changes hands at any time.


I'm hearing a bunch of excuses which are used to rationalize your bad behavior, but nothing based in reality.


How odd, because I'm not even defending the practice here, just pointing out that it's not at all the same as stealing.


That's defending the practice.


No, it really isn't. This may surprise you, but it's possible to point out flaws in an argument without making any statement about the merits of the conclusion.




Consider applying for YC's Summer 2026 batch! Applications are open till May 4

Guidelines | FAQ | Lists | API | Security | Legal | Apply to YC | Contact

Search: