I really wish this was from a dystopian parody, and not the world we actually live in. Several decades ago, I thought that the critiques of the "consumer society" and marketing were overblown - but I have changed my mind. Now, when I read an article like that, I feel like I'm in Burrough's Naked Lunch and a giant insectoid creature has its proboscis inserted at the top of my spine, trying to suck up my brain. The idea that my personal relationships are becoming just more feed for the marketing mill is so oppressively alienating.