But is the lack of alternatives something inherent to the medium, or is it just because we're lazy/unimaginative?
Basically, are there significant obstacles in the way of new models that only ads can overcome?
I can picture it like, "Hey, Jim, we got this new 'Internet' thing working. Now, how can we make money on it?" "I know, Bill! We can get people to pay us to advertise on it, just like the newspaper!"
Is it just too well-established, and nobody wants to reinvent the wheel? I saw an article on here a few days ago about how ad blockers are making the sky fall or something. Is it time to revisit some alternatives?