3 ms·

> Some may feel that this is a paranoid rant – and maybe it is – but I think the state of advertising has crossed a line. It is by no means a paranoid rant. It

> Some may feel that this is a paranoid rant – and maybe it is – but I think the state of advertising has crossed a line. It is by no means a paranoid rant. It is a piece of common sense.

aequitas 8y ago
In my opinion the line is already crossed earlier when advertising goes from simply informing me a product exists to tricking me into buying something. This has been going on for decades already, car manufacturers with their brand image commercials, subliminal reminder ads I should be drinking Coke or toothbrush's constant 'revolutions'. To quote a random person from the internet: "Why are there commercials for toilet paper, who is NOT buying it?"
- perl4ever 8y ago
  "To quote a random person from the internet: "Why are there commercials for toilet paper, who is NOT buying it?"" The last time I saw an ad on the internet for toilet paper was yesterday. There is a wide range in the price of toilet paper, and presumably profitability. Advertising it is motivated by this differentiation. Besides personal preference, presumably many people are or can be induced to be, afraid of guests and SOs judging them if they buy the cheapest 1-ply. I don't think the principles are much different from automobiles or a lot of other things, where apparently excessive choices are a means to try to present a Hobson's choice between a cheap low quality option and an expensive, differentiated option. The eternal struggle in marketing is to avoid having to sell a mid-range product for a fair price that maximizes value to the consumer.