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| A man surrounded by ads from all directions-a symbol of advertising overload |
Thoughts on the Ad-Flooded Life: Aggressive Advertising – Boon or Curse?
In today’s fast-paced digital world, advertising has become an essential part of our lives. But it’s not just visible on screens — it has silently entered every small part of our daily routine,and whole life.
While this post is written from my Indian perspective, I believe the experience of being surrounded by aggressive advertising is now a shared reality across the world.
Here’s how advertisements have become an inseparable part of our everyday living:
A Day in the Life – Surrounded by Ads
Whether we notice or not, from morning to night, ads constantly influence our actions.
Morning Influence:
1. We wake up and check the time on our mobile. If the phone lags, we think of buying another brand.
2. While brushing, we remember the brand from the “shiny teeth” toothpaste ad.
3. Using the toilet, we recall a better commode brand if ours is uncomfortable.
4. While washing hands – soap or handwash brand comes to mind.
5. Drinking tea or coffee reminds us of ads we’ve seen.
6. Bathing involves shampoo, soap, oil – and we remember which brand is ‘recommended’.
Daytime Choices:
7. While getting dressed, we check if our undergarments are of the ‘right’ brand.
8. Even upper clothes bring brand-consciousness.
9. During morning puja or prayer we glance at the incense stick or camphor brand.
10. Breakfast time – fast food or cereal ads influence choices.
11. While picking accessories – makeup, shoes, bags, bottles, wallets – we compare brands.
12. As we head to work, school, or business, vehicle ads influence us.
13. Even at work/school – wall calenders,meals, washrooms, and surroundings remind us of advertisements.
Night-time Traps:
14. After returning home – watching TV, kids going to classes or playing, dinner routines — ads are everywhere.
15. Even before sleeping, as we scroll through our phone, we see ad after ad. And finally, while trying to sleep, mosquito-repellent ads influence us to switch on that machine.
> This lifestyle may not apply to the very poor, but for middle and upper-middle classes, ads are deeply embedded in every thought and movement.
> Advertising is increasing social inequality,which is also increasing social discontent.
> Seeing misleading advertisements,the poorer classes of society are unable to afford to purchase those goods and services and a kind of inferiority complex is created towards the economically superior classes.This can divide the society and reduce unity.
We may not always realize it, but advertising is controlling our habits, needs, and even emotions — sometimes positively, but also negatively.
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Advertising's Hidden Power
Even though we live with it, we must ask:
Are we thinking independently, or are ads thinking for us?
Have brands replaced common sense?
Are we living for ourselves, or for others’ approval based on what we wear or use?
As companies fight harder to survive, they’re entering the era of aggressive marketing — using psychological tricks to change our values, relationships, and even identity.
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When Ads Cross the Line
In the future, with the rise of AI, this could become worse. We might face:
Every app, message, email, or payment screen showing hidden ads
Watching TV while eating and seeing dirty toilet ads
Sad news headlines interrupted by festive shopping offers
Sitting with kids and seeing condom or adult content ads
Alcohol ads disguised as “bottled water party celebrations”
Financial products disclaimers rushed so fast that you understand nothing
Newspapers with more ads than news,magazines also same situations.
Social media making your children and spouse demand expensive items you can’t afford
Emotional breakdowns, even suicides, because of not being able to "keep up" with the advertised lifestyle
> AI-based ad targeting will not just show what you like — it will decide what you must like.
Here are shocking examples that could become real in the near future:
> "Come to our IVF clinic – we’ll give you a beautiful, intelligent baby. Go elsewhere and your child may be dull."
"Use our cremation service and your loved one will surely reach heaven."
"Admit cancer patients to our hospital or risk losing them."
These are not just ads — they’re psychological weapons. Our mind may be driven to madness if this continues.
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Final Thought
The future of advertising is not just about marketing — it’s about mind control.
We, as humans, must remain aware, alert, and ethical.
We must demand boundaries.
We must educate children and families not to believe everything an ad says.
> Let’s choose wisely — not because an ad told us, but because we truly need it.
---Disclaimer-Image used is copyright-free or used under fair use.
What’s Your Opinion?
Do you feel ads are already controlling your daily thoughts and decisions?
Share your views in the comments or write to me at 4500bhide@gmail.com
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