@blossom: There's nothing stopping us from turning off the TV and refusing to buy the products. Most of what's advertised isn't necessary anyway. Nevermind the fact that if parents didn't let the TV do all the babysitting that it would drastically cut down on the number of infants obsessed with gadgets they don't really want. Half of that is inspired by a feeling of incompleteness. How many kids are going to feel incomplete if their parents actually pay attention to them instead of sitting them down in front of a glowing screen, practically unsupervised, for hours on end?
I know it's more difficult than that. Big companies hire experts in psychology to create the marketing campaigns behind their products. They know what pushes our buttons and none of us are immune. That doesn't change one fact: most people are aware of this but they do nothing to educate themselves. Instead they complain and blame the "evil" corporations. It's a two-way street-an ignorant population has no right to decry their oppressor when their own ignorance would invite another oppressor were the current one overthrown.
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