alt Hacker News> often wondered whether the world would be better without ads
You’d probably have to compromise on free speech, since the line between ads and public persuasion is ambiguous to the point of non-existence.
Better middle steps: ban on public advertising (e.g. no billboards, first-party-only signage). Ban on targeted digital advertising. Ban on bulk unsolicited mail or e-mail.
I haven’t given it enough thought, but would a ban on selling ad space do the trick?
You can self promote, but you can’t pay third parties to do it for you and you can’t sell it as a service.