Advertising can also be helpful -- it is possible to develop a new product which is useful while not being intrinsically viral. Advertising makes it possible to

Advertising can also be helpful -- it is possible to develop a new product which is useful while not being intrinsically viral. Advertising makes it possible to have such a product actually exist and benefit people. But impression or persuasion based advertising is generally unhelpful or actively harmful. I recently ran across a fascinating (and scarily dystopian) take on the future of that sort of advertising: http://escapepod.org/2013/05/16/ep396-dead-merchandise/ http://escapepod.org/2013/05/16/ep396-dead-merchandise/