[HenryTheHorse]

There is a very real problem of people not being aware of their impulse to buy. In fact, it's the foundation for all advertising: plant messages in the buyer's mind well before the buying occurs.

I know that sounds Manchurian Candidate-ish but that's the nature of Marketing and Advertising.

So perhaps the author is not entirely wrong in positing that distraction is, in a way, fueling meaningless purchases?

[habitue]

It's certainly possible, but if true, its in spite of our tendency to have one device we use all the time, not directly because of it

[HenryTheHorse]

You bet. People have been making questionable purchasing decisions for a LONG time. To blame it ALL on a smartphone or some other distraction is a bit simplistic.