[adrianmn]

You say you never clicked an ad. If you are visiting sites relevant to your industry you should actually check out the advertisers to keep an eye with what is happening in your industry(new tools, new conferences, new competition...).

Most of the big sites have CPM deals so they get paid for every visitor no matter of clicks or not.

And yes I hate intrusive ads as well and I don't watch TV channels with ads(I mostly watch football and HBO about 1-3 times a week).

[nknighthb]

> new tools

If I see an ad for a tool relevant to me, the chance that it's just a repackaged version of an open-source tool I'm already familiar with is almost 100%

> new conferences

I would never go to a conference, especially one that needs to run ads.

> new competition

If they're a threat, I'll hear about them through news or word-of-mouth. Otherwise, just another waste of time.

Your industry only exists for purposes of brainwashing. All other purported uses are better and more honestly served through other means.