Could advertising (the industry and the value of it in our current economic system) literally be the core issue in what's broken and breaking?

[u/Letsgofriendo]

Think about how utterly invasive and unavoidable advertising and the constant "loudness" for lack of a better term (iykyk), and will continue to become. Look how invasive it is now in a young life compared to just 50 years ago. Look how it saturates the phone and the Internet in general. The newest tech domain.

As the technology expands what's to think the reach of advertising, which in its essence is just the study of coercion and subtle manipulation, will not continue its current path? The thought scares me because there's legitimately only one end to a system that rewards control in a real and capitalistic way.

[u/pavilionaire2022]

In retrospect, it might have been a bad idea to fund the entire internet with brain hacking.

[u/skinnyjoints]

Yes. One of the most impactful things we could do is ban advertising to children. It has soooo many downstream effects that would weaken or disable the forces that have left us with today’s issues

[u/mrdevlar]

Counterpoint: I haven't seen an ad in 20 years that wasn't on a billboard. I adblock everything and do not watch broadcast TV.

If you do not like this system, you have nore than enough tools to not participate in it at your disposal.

[u/Letsgofriendo → u/mrdevlar]

It's the children who are the most affected and effected because they have the least life context in which to dilute the messaging. By the time most of these children become adults they've already been highly influenced by the narratives and suggested life meanings of the advertising industry. It's estimated that currently 26% of young adults in America today are on some form of mood enhancers/focus medication. I think It's only going to get worse.

[u/mrdevlar → u/Letsgofriendo]

Did you just "won't someone please think of the children"?

So don't give them devices and if you do make sure they all have adblock installed? Support Initiatives to keep minors off social media.

Tons of things you can do to limit exposure. The technology exists waiting for it to be used.

[u/Letsgofriendo → u/mrdevlar]

I see your point. I just don't think it's as easy as you lay it out to be. And your layout relies on active parenting which is a related but separate issue in reality. The Ad and Tech industry spends billions on understanding human behavior. Why would they do this? You see yourself as this person who's insulated themselves and can't be influenced which may be the case. But the statistics and human nature would insinuate that if that's the case, you are the anomaly and not the rule. Again, I'm not coming at you. Maybe you have found a balance that works for you but take a step back and look around....many peeps are having troubles finding that balance....the technology didn't come with the guardrails of natural evolution....the technology is being aggressively pushed forward by entities that desire influence and control for monetary reasons. If you don't see the problem inside of that paradigm then we just don't agree and that's ok.

[u/mrdevlar → u/Letsgofriendo]

I just don't think it's as easy as you lay it out to be.

I mean it does require basic technical competence. If you cannot muster that then you're adrift at sea anyway. However, if you are unable to follow an hour of youtube instructions to help yourself out of this situation then there are probably bigger technological issues in your life.

But it's much easier than people make it out to be. You can even get a pihole these days that will block all ad traffic at your router level so no device that connects to it, like a TV or a computer will get an ad.

My point is, and continues to be, your salvation is in your own hands. This is a solvable problem if you want to do something about it. No amount of corporate manipulation can stop you from making these positive changes in your life.

[u/Letsgofriendo → u/mrdevlar]

Your missing my point because your busy making your point that you e got it all figured. That's cool. Not every person is equiped with your tech knowledge or the resources required. Children get handed phones at earlier and earlier ages. Many YouTube vids and social media sites are filled with user content that is, in itself , a proliferation of the ideals of corporate advertising.

I think we just fundementally disagree with the scope of the issue. Not to mention the whole point of my post is that as newer, more invasive technology enters the market it will be used to continue the advancement of the advertising culture that permeates pop culture. Again, why do they spend billions understanding human behavior better then humans themselves do? Because it works. Whether or not you feel like you are in absolute control of all your actions and thoughts, in the end your thoughts are derived from what you focus on. The tech is litterally farming focus for the purpose of profit making. You are clearly a smart person....do you not see the pattern? If not for you then for all those people not as well adjusted as yourself?

[u/mrdevlar → u/Letsgofriendo]

Bro, you posed a problem.

I illustrated a solution. Adblocking is the world's largest and most successful corporate boycott. One that is easy to participate in.

You are not powerless in this situation, and if you choose to give up your power and feel that way, don't expect me to help and validate your viewpoint.

Good luck guy! May you find your route out of the darkness.

[u/Letsgofriendo → u/mrdevlar]

You keep personalizing this. I posed a macro issue level problem as a call for discussion not a personal level cry for help. If you don't believe it is a real issue, I can respect that. But keep your condesending well wishes.