Earlier quoted context omitted.
The truth is, there are far more complex reasons behind American kids being fed sugary cereal than "the dumb people got duped by the evil advertisers (but not me of course!)." It turns out kids like sugar, incomes have been stagnant for decades, and food deserts exist. What's the cheapest, shelf stable food item on a per-meal basis that your children will voluntarily eat without a fight before work? Sugary cereal. Co…
If advertising isn't actually necessary and has nothing to do with people buying the product, then companies and their sycophants shouldn't whine and scream in terror whenever somebody suggests that advertising be banned.
Again, products are created in response to consumer needs/wants, not the other way around. Look at the history of Kellogg to see why cereal exists.
Pick even the most frivolous of products, a $12,000 handbag. You probably believe the reason people desire such an object is due to advertising, and they otherwise would be more rational like you -- they must be being tricked right?
Wrong. Women want to signal their social class and that they are successful in attracting high value mates/power, and have since the beginning of time. The 12k handbag exists to meet that existing demand.
Advertising simply directs that existing demand towards a specific frivolous luxury good over another. It didn't create the demand. Before advertising & handbags even existed...social climbers and aristocrats used other things like silk fabrics, spices, servants, etc to meet the same demand.
What you're actually upset about is that other humans want things you don't agree with. I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but making you dictator and removing all advertising will not change human nature.