[runarberg]

According to your theory --of children as free thinkers whose actions represent their own 'free will'-- doesn't account for why advertizement works. If it were true, nobody would spend money on advertizement because everybody's actions is fully controlled by rational thinkers.

Nor does your theory account for insanity or stupidity (why do something stupid if you have full control of your actions?)

In fact your theory implies that children somehow are agents not affected by outside stimuli. Which would make them unique in nature.

Your theory in fact is by far more unbelievable then any theory of the powers of marketing.

[bcoates]

Advertising can perform a signalling function without anybody involved being irrational.

[runarberg]

Doesn't falsify my point.

If everybody was rational, then no advertising would perform signalling function if it wouldn't serve to maximize our utility.