I'd argue that those distractions and pharmaceuticals are specifically designed to keep/make us happy for that exact reason. However, I agree with you: I don't

I'd argue that those distractions and pharmaceuticals are specifically designed to keep/make us happy for that exact reason. However, I agree with you: I don't think people engaging in Consumerism in this way are _actually_ happy. (I.e. I don't consider the happiness Consumerism provides on the time scale you mentioned to be happiness in the sense we're talking about). I just think that Consumerism is the cause and not the symptom. I believe - and admittedly this is a leap - that people who "follow Consumerism" do consider it happiness. The promise of happiness after consuming (what sellers and advertisers exploit) does come true for that short time after consumption. When that time runs out, people consume again, and the cycle continues. (I'm coincidentally reading Brave New World at the moment so I'm a little down the rabbit hole here. And I think I'm mostly arguing semantics on a point we agree on.)