Google Chrome has a hidden feature that called Click to Play that will stop all plugins from automatically loading. It works similarly to Flashblock but includes all plugins such as Java, shockwave, Flash etc. If a plugin is blocked and you want it to load you simply Click to Play it. I've been using it for a few weeks and it works very well, you can even add sites to a trusted list or simply allow all plugins one time only. Its a hidden feature at the moment but may well make its way to future releases of Chrome.
More info here
More info here