i'm planning to look at the regulation of propaganda online - and advertising is a form of propaganda (though marketers dispute this voiciferously).

people are seriously discouraged from taking control or responsibility. particularly in the dominant u.s.a. culture.

and as you point out - in societies where money is value, and conspicuous consumption is the measure of worth, why would the average person 'waste' money buying more expensive 'food'. besides, maccas tells them how good their 'food' is, and has nice shiney 'family restaurants' to eat in. everywhere. so what's wrong with eating the cheaper stuff?

*sigh*