Where is the limit? I understand that when I visit certain sites that I should expect to be targeted to by images of scantly clad women. I expect to see advertisements for lovelines when I am watching late night tv, but where do these media companies draw the line. It is Saturday afternoon, and as I am browsing the internet just checking on the latest NBA standings, I get this.
Does ESPN, one of largest media organizations really need to dip to this level? Are these economic times really that bad, when they will just display anything to make money? I get it. I know that ESPN, has a huge audience of men and that this targeted advertising monetizes their website efficiently. I mean, who is to blame them, we are the guys that click through at any site of cleavage and a smile. At the same time, I have to believe that a organization of this size can set some standards and make their money off of cars, pizza and beer ads. What are your thoughts? Do we have the responsability to hold these companies in check? How do you guys combat being distracted by these quick, cheap attacks on your morality? One great way I have found is the AdBlocker Plus plug-in for FireFox. I am sure you have at least heard of it if you aren’t already using it but if not, it can be a lifesaver from these tempting distractions. Take a look at the same page using AdBlocker Plus.
Does this plug-in stop all smut from getting through or block you from going to distastful sites? No. But at least it will block the ads that are targeted to you when you are just sitting on your couch trying to view the latest playoff picture.
March 23rd, 2009 at 5:13 am
Amen – this gets really old. I say this because I love nekkid women – not because I don’t! ha ha
C.S. Lewis in Mere Christianity writes a bit about this: “Our ancestors have handed over to us organisms which are warped in this respect: and we grow up surrounded by propaganda in favour of unchastity. There are people who want to keep our sex instinct inflamed in order to make money out of us. Because, of course, a man with an obsession is a man who has very little sales-resistance. God knows our situation; He will not judge us as if we had no difficulties to overcome.”
April 1st, 2009 at 11:26 pm
Lol, I read this cause I saw the same exact ads looking at the NBA standings on ESPN. I thought the same thing, shook my head, (not only at the ads pushing skin, but the fact that the chick at the top is NOT a local single you will ever meet) and proceeded to see if the Hawks were holding on to the 4th seed in the East.
April 2nd, 2009 at 2:31 pm
I hate this stuff, too. I’ve spent an inordinate amount of time giving a “thumbs down” to similar ads on Facebook. It doesn’t seem to work though. If anyone can figure out how to change this, I’d be happy to support them.
April 2nd, 2009 at 8:34 pm
I struggle with this as well. It seems like it has gotten worse and worse over the past few months. ESPN is not the only sports page doing this either (Yahoo, etc.). It’s bad enough to struggle with this and then have it through in your face all the time. I even tried the newspaper, but it’s just as bad. Maybe I need to give up sports?
I have stopped by this site from time to time and find it very relevant! I truly appreciate it! God Bless!
April 12th, 2009 at 12:51 am
i couldnt agree more. We struggle with staying pure and avoiding sites that are inappropriate, yet when we let our guard down for a website we consider safe we are bombarded with various ads that are unseen slaps from satan. Facebook ads are that way, nba.com, i just give up on any workout websites or car websites, those are just hopeless. I also hate to be fed the junk about young men being simple animals, wanting to see pretty women scantilly clad and do dumb things that are unintelligent.
July 10th, 2009 at 11:53 pm
The women in these ads are sometimes VERY hard to look away from. There was a particular ad on Facebook that I kept hoping wouldn’t show up, because it was almost impossible not to look at. I just took your suggestion and installed ad-blocker plus, logged into Facebook, no ads whatsoever. Nice.
Its good to see this is an issue for other guys too.
February 4th, 2010 at 7:15 pm
I wonder if Jesus looked for a temptation-blocker when he headed out into the wilderness?
Maybe, instead of suggesting that I gouge out my wandering eye, he should have told me to take curtains to hang up around me, or throw over any lovelies I happen to encounter.
Not that I’m suggesting avoiding temptation isn’t a good thing. (Aren’t we supposed to pray that we stay out of it?) But when do I have to buck up and recognize that the problem isn’t so much with a world acting – - well, worldly. Instead, the problem is in my own eyes, and mind and heart.
Maybe I need to spend more time looking for God’s “escape” hatch from those “common” temptations, and rather than blaming my lust on others, let Him teach me discipline and self-control.
I wonder what would happen if I committed myself to pray for the ladies I saw being “sold” on ESPN, SI, ABC, CBS, etc. etc. etc.? Would I still look at them the same way?