Is Advertising and Marketing the ultimate social evil?

[Sherlock]

Driving into Manchester I noticed that the whole panoramic landscape was dominated by messages of unfulfillable promises.

Consumer products to change my image, lifestyle, status, self worth, appearance, wealth and the major commonality is that they are all bogus, hollow as a cheap Easter egg.

Buying a DFS sofa will not tangibly change my life as the ad suggests,
surround me with slim, young, stereotyped, happy people! Admittedly i can sit on it, and contemplate the debt it has incurred.

Am I really worthless if I do not wash my hair in L'Oreal shampoo?

Can I really B&Q it? Do I want to in the first place?

The truth is none of these will change my life beyond not living up to the claims, making me poorer or deeper in debt, and putting me into cold turkey until the next bogus claim, fraudulent sale or statement of my own inadequacy comes along. It's just commercial pornography to pervert vulnerable, unhappy, gullible and insecure people part with money.

Happiness never has been for sale on the High Street, and never will be regardless of what the adverts say!

[BARROWMAN]

You have already answered your own question if there was one in your submission. Next time leave room for other people to answer.

[WENDEL HOMES]

What you state is very true. However what if nobody ever bought a thing? What would sustain their families if the jobs that marketing produces dried up.
Modern living is about making supported choices i.e can I afford this item if so, is this the one I'd buy or is there a cheaper better version available? ...or should I hold back until I could comfortably afford the expense without recourse to enter debt.
Marketing does create jobs...consumer education should define the buyer's limits.