Is it wrong to give people what they want by taking away their defenses?”

– American psychologist Edward Bernays is called the father of mass persuasion. His contribution (and that of fellow psychologist Ernest Dichter) to advertising changed how products are marketed from a “needs-only” basis to a “wants” basis. This change was thought at the time to be a savior of American democracy. Dichtersaid, “The consumer may have basic needs that the consumer himself or herself doesn’t understand. Is it wrong to give people what they want by taking away their defenses?” What is your answer to his question?