[fsflover]

I'm talking about dedicated departments in large companies that try to steer people into more purchases for profit. This is unethical unless people gave their consent.

[nickpp]

Now you are simply describing advertising. I do not find it unethical, maybe unpleasant at most. It is the engine of commerce and driving progress. It is a sign of abundance of choice. And let's not forget a company still has to create a compelling product - no ads can override my free will.

[fsflover]

-> no ads can override my free will.

Everyone thinks that they are resistant to advertising, yet it somehow works. It's called "wishful thinking", https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Criticism_of_advertising#Influ....

> And let's not forget a company still has to create a compelling product

Not necessarily: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Criticism_of_advertising#Media...

[nickpp]

It works because people want to buy things, as I said at the beginning of this exchange. Advertising works with them, not against them.

[fsflover]

This is not what my links say. Do you have your own references?

[nickpp]

I have a bit of knowledge about human nature and some applied logic. I do not need others to tell me how to think and I find Wikipedia a heavily biased and ideologized source.

[fsflover]

Wikipedia is not a source. It's a list of sources. You can always add your own (reliable) sources to the list. Basing your decisions on "a bit of knowledge about human nature" is unscientific.