> "ads are what makes the current internet work."
No, they're not. The Internet was designed as a tool for enabling communication, not money-making. Without ads, a lot of the blog spam that exists today would go away and the Internet would be better off for it.
OR
As a content consumer, you'll have to pay for the content directly which is currently available for free.
Yes, I know everyone hates ads and I'll probably get downvoted here too but - You should punish publishers who serve malware, popups, JS & other bad stuff BUT you don't punish ALL the publishers - many of them don't do that and are just fine.
Patreon is another good example of how to survive if there are a decent number of people who genuinely like what you do. See Cara Ellison and Zoe Quinn, for example. It won't make you rich, but that's very much the point.
I'm not certain but I think there is even a checkbox for this in the options? I know I still see some of the Google search contextual ads and I use adblock.
The internet has been all about disrupting established channels of communication, making it possible for "anyone" to produce and distribute something meaningful. Advertising goes directly against this, by placing value on the "loudness" of the communication. Those with the most money, best equipment, and largest army will be the "loudest."