Capitalism as a philosophical idea of free trade is far different than how corporate capitalism has actually looked in practice though. Not only in terms of pow

Capitalism as a philosophical idea of free trade is far different than how corporate capitalism has actually looked in practice though. Not only in terms of power and information disparities and massive externalities making a mockery of the idea of "pure capitalism" (much as crushing and brutal authoritarianism made a mockery of "pure Communism") but also because advertising is a mind control weapon. I know its popular for smart people to think that advertising doesn't affect them but I can assure you that it is VERY hard to choose what level of consumption you want to live it while you are swimming in a sea of advertisements designed to make you feel unconsciously dissatisfied with what you have. The only experiment I could think of to counter this would be to live mostly off the grid or deep in an "undeveloped" country for a year or two and watch how your consciousness shifts. Otherwise it is like the fish that is looking for the water.