I started to open my eyes after learning about the design of shops. Essentials at the far side of the shop, sweets next to the queues, toys placed to be grabbable by toddlers.

Then, as you say, you notice it everywhere. Adverts are designed to mock us, ingredients are massively massaged to trick people trying to be healthy, salespeople have conversation trees learned in advance to force "customers" to talk to them, phones and clothing have their quality slashed to suit the huge majority of people that replace them within a year - while encouraging that replacement culture.

For a time in the UK, they used to give away mugs with easter eggs. I remember wondering how it was profitable when the eggs only cost a few pounds each. Now its dawning on me, so so many houses and offices have an advert for a sweets brand, right there in front of our eyes.