Chrome, running on Windows 7, is INCREDIBLY resistant to blocking autoplay of videos on websites, and HuffPo is PARTICULARLY resistant. I've tried every setting, and multiple extensions. All the websites with all the ways to block autoplay just don't work on Huffpo.

Except this one:
It's called "Video Blocker by Plowman" and it's free in the Google Web Store. So far...it seems to work. It doesn't actually block the video, just the autoplay function.

So far, so good! I don't know what other problems it may cause but until then, I'm much, MUCH happier.

It amazes me how all these tools that get money out of you a zillion ways do their absolute best to annoy you, interfere with you, and make you want to go to other websites, or use other tools. Facebook is CONSTANTLY trying to thwart Fluff Buster Purity, the only thing that makes Facebook livable and usable, so they can jam ads, invites, useless news, notifications that a "friend" is playing scrabble (WTF cares) and plastering you with "friends of friends you should friend"--total strangers. I keep FB disabled on my phone, and, before my iPad died, never used it there (FB Purity doesn't have an Apple-compatible version yet). Facebook's only useful on MY terms, not on Mark Zuckerberg's!

Since Ariana Huffington sold HuffPo the amount of pure SHIT buried into it is a huge pain. You always have to watch for "advertisement" in small letters, and for downright snake oil.

But I digress. I'm so far happy with Video Blocker by Plowman.