I think you're reading "is" in a particular (and reasonable) way, but there are other ways of reading it. For example "is" can mean "is essentially" or fundamen

I think you're reading "is" in a particular (and reasonable) way, but there are other ways of reading it. For example "is" can mean "is essentially" or fundamentally, or it could mean "is currently". The fact that advertising doesn't have to be a cancer is compatible with the claim that it is one at this point in history.