I think you might be slightly overemphasising how the average person responds to advertising. Not everyone thinks that all advertising is evil and intrusive. Most people don't like to admit that they are influenced by ads, but they are, especially if the ad is relevant and executed well. Think of some of the great TV ads of the past, people like them. Not all advertising should be tarred with the same brush.

Having said that I do hate the fact that ad's seem to be following me around these days. I checked out the supplement mentioned in Tim Ferris's Four hour body book and it followed me round for ages until I cleared my cookies. Now that is irritating.

By the way I think TF's new book is pretty shabby compared to his first.