From violations of privacy, to the mainpulation or even maliciousness at its core, I think marketing at it’s current state is poison to society. But I also think it might be a necessary evil. What would be a good alternative implementation of advertising look like? Or do we even need it? If the former, how would advertising look in a non-capitalist society?
Public bulletin boards are forbidden in, iirc, Brazil, or at least in the capital. Made for a very different view.
Same where I grew up in Alaska — no billboards, minimal advertising. The south was such a culture shock. )=