Hacker News Reader

Comment by trackflak | Hacker News Reader

I'm not too bothered about their loss, given that gas pumps now have advertising screens installed. Let the ad revenue make up for it.

View on HN

In case anyone is unaware, those little buttons on the side of the screen can and usually do mute the ads. In 99% of the time I’ve tried the 2nd from the top, on the right hand side mutes them.

My desired method of muting them might require a bit more clean up. It may also involve a trip to the ER ward for burn treatments. But I would at least look back and say I enjoyed myself.

If only! I've tried and given up. Nothing mutes them.

Second button down on the right side of the screen, generally.

Literally all of the gas stations I frequent have disabled this feature (or made it a more complex series of button-presses) in the last year or so. :(

That said, GP's assertion that the station can make up for stolen gas with ads is nonsensical and dishonest.

> nonsensical and dishonest.

Or what some of us refer to as 'humour'. It's worth getting into, a lot of people say good things.

Maybe. It's a common argument in other contexts, and some people believe it.

I'm here to help.

I think it's unethical to force me to watch or hear ads when I'm compelled to refill my car somewhere and every station has these.

I agree with you 100%, especially because the volume is always turned up to 11.

However, you'll get arrested for stealing gas -- so as a practical matter, when confronted with the situation, tolerating the ads is the recommended option!

The easiest way to no longer listen to them is to stop going to gas stations that use them.

Hah, I'm going to make a startup that shows ads in the in-car display, "this gallon of fuel is brought to you by McDonald's. Try our new quad-cheeseburger, a drive-through is coming up 2 miles ahead!".

That was a thing, they raised millions: https://www.businessinsider.com/4screen-in-car-marketing-sta...

Imagine if your GPS would automatically add an extra stop at Starbucks in the morning and McDonald's around lunch and dinner time. You try and punch in directions to one grocery store and it reroutes you past a competitor who paid for placement.

Thanks, I hate it.

It's user-hostile UX, but to mask the hostility the GPS can say "Starbucks on your route is offering 10% off bagels, for the next 10 minutes!". And similarly for the grocery store, "try Kwik-E-Mart and get a free treat!"

An upside-down air can will typically damage a speaker without leaving any physical evidence behind.

I actually enjoy the gas station ads because it brings us one step closer to the glorious dark future of Cyberpunk /s

Reply on news.ycombinator.com