> East Germany comes to mind as well as the rest of the Cold War countries behind the Iron Curtain Psychology around ads and how to manipulate peoples thoughts

> East Germany comes to mind as well as the rest of the Cold War countries behind the Iron Curtain Psychology around ads and how to manipulate peoples thoughts were not nearly as well understood at the time. Large scale studies based on data collected of peoples behavior on computers has lead to dramatically better ability to manipulate and nudge people to do what you want. The information environment was more oppressive there, but it was easier for people to have their own thoughts since the marketing was forced and blatant but way less manipulative and devious.