> Having worked in advertising during a younger & less jaded period of my life, knowing the aims and tactics they use helps reduce their effectiveness.
It's best to be aware of what they're doing and how, but I'm not sure how much it helps protect us. I can't seem to find it now, but I'm pretty sure I've seen research saying that awareness doesn't offer much defense. Our brains are simply susceptible to certain attacks and like an optical illusion that can't be unseen even when you know what's wrong, we're still influenced to some degree by the kinds of manipulations commonly used by advertisers.
It's best to be aware of what they're doing and how, but I'm not sure how much it helps protect us. I can't seem to find it now, but I'm pretty sure I've seen research saying that awareness doesn't offer much defense. Our brains are simply susceptible to certain attacks and like an optical illusion that can't be unseen even when you know what's wrong, we're still influenced to some degree by the kinds of manipulations commonly used by advertisers.