> > The entire point of advertising is manipulating human beings. > No the point is to connect products to interested consumers. You're both right in identify

> > The entire point of advertising is manipulating human beings. > No the point is to connect products to interested consumers. You're both right in identifying points of advertising, and they're not in conflict. Advertising has _two_ points, which I phrase as: 1. Increasing consumer awareness 2. Increasing consumer demand Increasing consumer awareness generally feels useful: that's finding out what baby products exist, or showing people a new invention or service. Increasing consumer demand generally feels manipulative: that's showing sugary cereals and crap toys to children, or associating vaping with success, etc. The two goals usually are working together — but I find it useful to separate which parts of the advertisement are doing what.