|
Post by unkleE on Sept 8, 2008 23:33:53 GMT
I haven't been taking more than passing notice, but the choice of ads at the top of this forum is surely an interesting window into how the forum is seen by whoever supplies the ads (presumably Google). If I've remembered correctly, I've seen: - a DVD that Jesus never existed
- dating services (opposite sex, not calendars!) - incl christian singles
- an astrologer
- IQ testing (I think?)
- various christian websites discussing "hot" topics e.g. evolution vs creation
- Nature magazine
- "emoticons" and other trivial software
- message board software
- learn Hebrew online
So that's our demographic (as seen by all the expertise Google can muster!). Has anyone ever followed one up? I think I did once.
|
|
|
Post by eckadimmock on Sept 9, 2008 0:55:49 GMT
It seems to respond to key words in the posts. Check out the one on my "Satan" thread! It's a Bible prophecy one with a scary devil face.
|
|
|
Post by humphreyclarke on Sept 9, 2008 8:23:52 GMT
Yes I do love that the 'The God Who Wasn't There' Jesus myth advert keeps popping up in a forum partly dedicated to debunking the 'Jesus Myth' thesis.
|
|
|
Post by unkleE on Jul 9, 2009 23:09:49 GMT
I sort of wish that I'd kept some real data now. But all I have is perceptions.
The advertisements certainly seem to have become more focused. For a while we had Muslim dating services, possibly while Zameel was posting enthusiastically and Islamic topics were much discussed. Another favourite was the "learn Hebrew online" (there must be a big market right there!).
But now I'm most commonly finding an astrologer advertising - what does that say about our discussions??? The other one I'm getting is an Aussie secular dating service, which I guess is no use to most of you dudes in the antipodes! So the ads must be geographically focused as well. The marvels of modern technology!
Aren't we glad that all that human inventiveness has been spent on the big issues like dating and astrology, otherwise it would be wasted on world peace, global warming and the food crisis!
: )
|
|
|
Post by acornuser on Oct 25, 2009 3:06:15 GMT
I saw one today asking about who really goes to hell. I decided to skip it.
|
|
|
Post by unkleE on Oct 25, 2009 3:49:14 GMT
For me, it's going from the ridiculous to the banal - most common these days is tooth-whitening - which says something about the quality of our discussions. If only they knew that at my advanced age, even having teeth at all is some sort of achievement, and one I'm slowly losing the battle with!! : (
The other common ad is online games. Perhaps they think we all have lots of time on our hands!
|
|
|
Post by sandwiches on Oct 29, 2009 22:14:50 GMT
Why does a thread about The Bible of Logical Positivism produce a banner ad on teeth-whitening?
Can I quote a bit of T.S. Eliot and see what effect if any occurs?:
To communicate with Mars, converse with spirits, To report the behaviour of the sea monster, Describe the horoscope, haruspicate or scry, Observe disease in signatures, evoke Biography from the wrinkles of the palm And tragedy from fingers; release omens By sortilege, or tea leaves, riddle the inevitable With playing cards, fiddle with pentagrams Or barbituric acids, or dissect The recurrent image into pre-conscious terrors— To explore the womb, or tomb, or dreams; all these are usual Pastimes and drugs, and features of the press: And always will be, some of them especially When there is distress of nations and perplexity Whether on the shores of Asia, or in the Edgware Road. Men's curiosity searches past and future And clings to that dimension.
|
|
syzygy
Master of the Arts
Posts: 103
|
Post by syzygy on Oct 30, 2009 22:17:45 GMT
I'm almost sorry I'm not getting these ads. Am I doing something immoral?
|
|
|
Post by unkleE on Oct 30, 2009 22:43:56 GMT
Why does a thread about The Bible of Logical Positivism produce a banner ad on teeth-whitening? Can I quote a bit of T.S. Eliot and see what effect if any occurs?: To communicate with Mars, converse with spirits, To report the behaviour of the sea monster, Describe the horoscope, haruspicate or scry, Observe disease in signatures, evoke Biography from the wrinkles of the palm And tragedy from fingers; release omens By sortilege, or tea leaves, riddle the inevitable With playing cards, fiddle with pentagrams Or barbituric acids, or dissect The recurrent image into pre-conscious terrors— To explore the womb, or tomb, or dreams; all these are usual Pastimes and drugs, and features of the press: And always will be, some of them especially When there is distress of nations and perplexity Whether on the shores of Asia, or in the Edgware Road. Men's curiosity searches past and future And clings to that dimension.I am very pleased to have someone quote TS Eliot, and I have deliberately re-quoted to reinforce the words, but it still seems to lead to teeth-whitening. Wait, the top ad has changed to "Amazing Bible Software" now I'm writing this response. Go figure (as the Americans so inelegantly say)! I'm almost sorry I'm not getting these ads. Am I doing something immoral? I don't know the answer to your question. I am not a priest, but I'm ready to hear your confession! : ) Perhaps this is a result of the virtuous life you are leading, your computer, an extension of your lofty mind, does not look upon such evil and rises above these ads. Or perhaps you have checked a preference box saying "block banner ads"??
|
|
|
Post by acornuser on Nov 6, 2009 3:26:40 GMT
I just saw one for the "God who wasn't there". That's probably the least appropriate ad for this forum!
|
|
|
Post by sandwiches on Nov 9, 2009 21:42:35 GMT
Well still ads for teeth-whitening and for Muslim dating. T.S. Eliot is having no effect. I was hoping for some ads on astrology or divination from tea-leaves.
|
|
|
Post by acornuser on Dec 4, 2009 2:57:13 GMT
I'm now getting excellent ads for wiggle.co.uk, a bicycle parts retailer. Since I spend too much time idling window shopping for bikes, it seems like a good fit!
|
|
|
Post by unkleE on Dec 4, 2009 11:35:31 GMT
I'm now getting excellent ads for wiggle.co.uk, a bicycle parts retailer. Since I spend too much time idling window shopping for bikes, it seems like a good fit! I'm getting almost constant ads for flattening my belly, showing an animated drawing of woman in a bikini getting skinnier. Do they think I'm interested in the woman in the bikini, or in losing weight??? Not a bicycle to be seen!
|
|
|
Post by unkleE on May 4, 2012 0:20:55 GMT
Please ignore this post. But if you read this, then you haven't, I'm sorry.
To communicate with Mars, converse with spirits,
To communicate with Mars, converse with spirits,
Just doing another test to see if extensive TS Eliot quoting will change the banner ads.
To communicate with Mars, converse with spirits,
To communicate with Mars, converse with spirits,
That should do it!
C'mon Google, do your best!
|
|
|
Post by unkleE on May 4, 2012 0:24:09 GMT
No, still just Commonwealth Bank. : (
|
|