Can you enlighten us?
Before 1993, it was considered ill-mannered to promote commercial products on the internet. We didn't mind commercial transactions, but certainly frowned on promotions. After all, they were (and are) delivered on the end-users dime.
Marketers took a good idea, and poisoned it to influence people for the purpose of selling them a product. Just like every technology they touch.
More marketers should take Bill Hicks' timeless advice to them.
That sounds like something the TV said. I never heard anyone I know saying that on their own.