December 10, 2024
Advertising and Consumerism
It is true that advertising influences consumers, but only within the scope of their inclinations, not against them. It directs attention to a particular product rather than to other similar ones. For instance, junk food is produced because it sells; it’s not the case that it sells simply because it is produced.
No advertisement could force people to read The Divine Comedy or learn Classical Greek—it would only have an effect on circles already passionate about culture.