The stuff is being scanned with computer programs though, not by people, which results in targeted ads just like those in the bottom of this page.
I would rather have targeted text based ads and my email scanned by some algorithm where I get 1000MB of storage, than large obtrusive flash based ads for stuff I'm not even interested in where I get <5MB storage.
I havent begun using my Gmail account yet, but I personally don't have a problem with their methods.
I hear what you are saying boots, if it was microsoft, I bet there'd be a big beat up about it everywhere you look!
dougy