I always think of ads like a big flashing sign saying "I'm trying to screw you over!"
Given how much research goes into psychology just to make them work, they're basically a form of malware for the brain (and sometimes for the device they run on).
If they'd protected their knowledge from AI crawlers before it was too late, they might stand a chance, but in this climate, they're just adding nails to their coffin.
I mean, it's there any genuine case you can cover with SO that you cannot with your favorite LLM?
Because where a LLM falls short is in the same topic SO fell short: highly technical questions about a particular technology or tool, where your best chance to get the answer you were looking for is asking in their GitHub repo or contacting the maintainers.
StackOverflow is moribund pile of junk. They've never managed to understand that software development is a highly fluid, constantly evolving space. Instead of embracing this, they've been trying to build a static encyclopaedia.
Volunteer admins with nothing better to do get their dopamine by closing questions for StackOverflow points, regardless of whether the supposedly duped question from 8 years ago is actually still the best answer and covers the nuances of the question now being asked.
There probably is still a space for a SO-style site to exist, but they'd need a drastic change of approach. LLMs (+ Reddit I suppose?) have taken over most the engineer support role.
I understand that SE needs to make money, but I find it fascinating how voluntary content (both questions, answers and moderation) is being monetised. Should I ask for percentage of ads income when my questions / answers are viewed?
Targeted Ads done correctly provide value. I found my favorite clothing company, for example, thanks to an Insta ad. I also appreciate well crafted copy. Mindless firehose ads, however, aggravate me. (I use Kagi).
Looks quite blockable using a bit of scripting hunting for blocks with 'Sponsored' and 'Report this ad' in them. If it isn't it is just the end for these sites, ads begone.
17 comments
[ 4.0 ms ] story [ 34.1 ms ] threadI can't believe we keep making progress. You know. Things get better and better as time goes on. Right?
Right?
...... Right?
They are psychological, manipulative, influencing tools. It's like an annoying wasp that appears out of nowhere and follows you around.
Nobody asked for this.
When this comes to StackExchange, use a PiHole and protect yourself from this barrage of irrelevant ads.
Given how much research goes into psychology just to make them work, they're basically a form of malware for the brain (and sometimes for the device they run on).
I mean, it's there any genuine case you can cover with SO that you cannot with your favorite LLM?
Because where a LLM falls short is in the same topic SO fell short: highly technical questions about a particular technology or tool, where your best chance to get the answer you were looking for is asking in their GitHub repo or contacting the maintainers.
Volunteer admins with nothing better to do get their dopamine by closing questions for StackOverflow points, regardless of whether the supposedly duped question from 8 years ago is actually still the best answer and covers the nuances of the question now being asked.
There probably is still a space for a SO-style site to exist, but they'd need a drastic change of approach. LLMs (+ Reddit I suppose?) have taken over most the engineer support role.
https://github.com/gorhill/uBlock?tab=readme-ov-file#ublock-...
Given how ruthlessly this site treated everyone when it was relevant, not a single tear will be shed when the front page is a letter from the founder.