I'm sure other Gmail users have noticed how they modify the ads that show up based upon the content of your e-mails; a little creepy, but I can understand the logic of it. Still, discussing evolution in an e-mail exchange seems to only to attract creationist adverts, and I am sick and tired of seeing advertisements for Expelled and "refutations" of evolution from everystudent.com all over my inbox. I don't think I've ever seen an advert for something positive about evolution, and that's really a shame; if people are talking about evolution via e-mail they're only going to get links to creationist sources. I know that many times this all comes down to the amount of money involved in paying for advertisements (more money being spent on hype for creationists than anything worthwhile), but knowing how pervasive and well-marketed creationism is I wonder why those concerned with the effective teaching of evolution don't try harder to create effective advertisements for new books, museum exhibitions, etc. (Just to make a note here, I'm not talking about framing, just getting the word out about new resources about evolution). Even if such marketing is impossible for whatever reason, I would at least hope that Gmail would have the courtesy to let me block creationist ads,* [S]eeing a link to Ben Stein's upcoming "documentary" not being a good way to start my day.
Update: I stand corrected; I just checked my e-mail and saw an advertisement for the recent NOVA program "Judgment Day" on PBS. Also, as pointed out in the comments, thinking that Gmail would allow users to block ads for things they have no interest in/don't want was a dumb comment on my part, even if it would be nice to have such an ability.
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It drives me up the wall too, but even with all the money the creationists spend, the percent of non believers just continues to go up. The crap they push is not winning them any converts, and is pushing many away. The only question is how long until they push away the majority?
I doubt many science-loving folk considered purchasing Google ad space that trumpted evolution.
Something to keep in mind: quality products usually don't require much advertizing, because word-of-mouth is usually sufficient. It's often the inferior products that have to spend lots on getting the word out.
Come on, be serious. Do you really expect Gmail to permit people to block the ads they're selling space for? How would that be in their interests?
Funny about that, I don't see any ads on Gmail. Maybe because I use Firefox and have AdBlockPlus installed. It's pretty effective at blocking unwanted ads.
Caledonian; Very true, word of mouth and plugs via the blogosphere are a big help, but I'm just wondering if more people could be reached that aren't at all familiar with evolution. From my own experience once I came across ScienceBlogs and started reading popular/technical books, I was hooked, but if people just aren't that interested enough to go looking for good resources I wonder how they're ever going to find out about them. You're right that blocking some ads might be against Gmail's interests and it's probably stupid of me to make that point; I just don't like seeing the Disco Institute in my inbox every morning.
Richard; True, many people are pushed away by some of the creationist nuttery, but I think that there are many more people who just don't know enough about evolution or about why creationism is wrong in general. From what I understand in talking to people who aren't invested in this issue like some of us might be, they just go along with whatever seems to fit within their beliefs (or lack thereof), sometimes citing things they heard here or there as support (i.e. a friend once cited "some scientist" who proved that geologic dating techniques are inaccurate based upon a seminar poster he once saw).
This sort of thing has had plenty of academic study over the years one way or another, and Google Mail's advertising is utterly perfect propaganda.
"Don't do evil" isn't compatible with this sort of thing.
It could be used for _any_ political position.
You email your ideas, and the people reading your mail get them framed with lovely boxed statements opposing or denigrating them.
Emailed anyone about global warming lately?
Any other political topic?
Hey, I've got a great idea --- how about a free worldwide telephone network on which, in the background as you talk, you can hear voices quietly discussing the same ideas and events you're talking about? Just whispers ....
Think it'd change anyone's beliefs?
Think you'd even know if it did?
I read at olug.org that you can use gmail as an IMAP server. Freedom from browser tyranny lets you use mutt (or outlook express, I reckon) as a client.
Actually being able to block ads you have no interest in isn't such a dumb unless someone thought they could block all ads.
From the advertisers perspective why waste the money on a creationist ad in your email since they will receive no sales off of it? I would suspect they'd be happy if other people than you received the ads they were paying for.
On the other hand, maybe you shouldn't block the creationist ads even if you could. Think of it as keeping someone else who might fall from it from being exposed to the ad. That assumes they are paying per placement. If they are paying based on clicks to their site, then maybe you should click on all the ads and waste their ad money.
Well, I'm willing to bet there's more ads out their for crackpot theories of gravity and cosmology than there are for shows like NOVA, too. Established wisdom doesn't have to buy media spots.
/just install firefox + Adblock already
So how do you like the cost of GMail?
What I find funny is that the number of times I've actually clicked on an ad served by Google (particularly on G-mail) is tiny. Presumably, I'm an anomaly is this respect...
You could consider making at suggestion on the feature request google group. It's not a bad idea at all.