I can't say it better than Sarah Webster did in yesterday's Detroit Free Press:

"The digital revolution long promised for your car - known in the automotive business as telematics - has arrived.

"Over the next few model years, drivers will be able to do things such as find a nearby gas station with the lowest price, pay bills, order movies and schedule hair appointments.

"But here's what the automotive industry didn't tell you: Advertisers will be providing the gas on this Information Superhighway."

This reminds me of something I saw once on the Donny Deutsch Show that made me throw up in my mouth a little. I wish I could find the video online; it went a little something like, "I'm an adman, so I always love it when people see more ads." How about we throw an ad on your forehead, Deutsch—that might work well for the many hours a day you clearly spend gazing lovingly at your fleshy, well-fed mug while working out. (Have you seen this guy lately? He's a glorious specimen. If you ever want to see a man pumped grossly out of all proportion, stop by the corner office at Deutsch, New York. That's him to our left, by the way.)

Calming down for a sec, I think there are some useful applications here that can benefit both advertisers and consumers, most notably in the way that search advertising and premium listings services benefit both advertisers and consumers: Tell me how to find the things I want. Let's be careful here, though. Driving is one of the best parts of American culture; let's not sully it with one of the worst parts—the ubiquity of ads. I'd rather not see an ad for Applebees pop up in my rearview mirror as I approach one.

Some of the examples Webster gave in the article made me think of a dark, Brazil-like future where everything is plastered with ad messaging, each meal you eat is brought to you by a product, and even the air you breathe doesn't come without messaging. How's that sound, Deutsch? I mean, as an adman....