Media and advertising may result in increased anxiety, but it's a bit conspiratorial to imply that its a concerted effort with anxiety as the goal. I feel like

Media and advertising may result in increased anxiety, but it's a bit conspiratorial to imply that its a concerted effort with anxiety as the goal. I feel like it's more of a perverse incentive.[1] In media (in the news in particular), stressful stories get more attention, so they are reported more aggressively. In advertising, companies can sell more of their product if they can make you feel insecure, and then sell you the purported remedy. When it's difficult to feel calm and self-assured, it's easy to feel anxious. [1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Perverse_incentive https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Perverse_incentive