The idea that they serve to inform customers and create the necessary transparency to allow capitalism to self-regulate, that’s at least since the internet became a thing, just complete nonsense.

Loads of stuff that I find interesting were completlely unknown to me for years before I discovered, either via Reddit, friends, socialmedia generaly. Therefore, I can completely understand companies advertising. Hell, I’ve seen billboards that have actually sparked my interest. Doesn’t mean I buy that particular product though, of course. Most of the times big companies only seem to advertise in order to keep it expensive for small ones and to remind you that you have that candy bar in the fridge when you see an add for a candy bar on TV, even if it’s not the same company/candybar it means you’ll buy more next time you go shopping.

In fact, maybe advertising food should not be allowed because of that. I’m pretty sure most countries don’t allow medical ads either.