In his book "Amusing Ourselves to Death," Neil Postman argues that television commercials have shifted the focus of businesses from creating meaningful products to making consumers feel important. This change suggests that companies prioritize emotional appeal and consumer satisfaction over the intrinsic value of their offerings.

Postman likens this new business approach to pseudo-therapy, where consumers are treated like patients in dramatic narratives designed to reassure them. As a result, the landscape of commerce has transformed into a stage for emotional manipulation, rather than a platform for genuine product value and utility.