I recently saw a good comment, something like 'the best minds of today are working on Internet advertising instead of curing cancer, cleaner sustainable energy, etc.'

Tough problem though. I don't want Google without ads. For other web properties like my favorite blogs to read, NYT, etc. I would be happy enough to make micro payments if doing so was really easy. (Actually, I do pay for the NYT, so why the ads?)

Maybe the conversation should be about easy to use and secure micro payments.