The Dark Side of Modern Advertising: Are We Still Being Fooled?

5 min readSep 17, 2024

By Mosi from LotusChain

In today’s fast-paced digital world, where ads follow us wherever we go — on websites, apps, social media, and even search engines like Google — it’s easy to believe we’ve moved far beyond the dangerous marketing practices of the past. But have we really? A closer look at some of the ads circulating today suggests a troubling reality: while the products may have changed, the underlying purpose of media-driven advertising has not. Many ads, powered by platforms like Google Ads, seem designed with one aim: to make money, no matter the cost to public health and well-being.

From ads promoting “magic mushrooms” as some kind of wellness supplement to questionable content around drugs and even manipulative campaigns about sexual identity, the modern landscape of digital advertising raises new and alarming concerns. Although these ads are not as blatant as the dangerous cigarette and lead-paint ads of the past, their subtle influence may be just as harmful.

10 dangerous ads on 1900’s: [ watch→ mentalfloss ]

Ads Then and Now: A Dangerous Evolution

The vintage ads of yesteryear promoted products that have since been revealed to be incredibly dangerous — cigarettes, lead-based paint, sugary sodas for babies, and harmful chemicals like DDT. These ads often leaned on so-called experts like doctors and scientists to give them credibility, convincing the public that dangerous substances were not only safe but beneficial. While we might like to think we’re past such blatant manipulation, today’s advertising still operates on many of the same principles, albeit in more covert ways.

Today, Google Ads and other ad networks use sophisticated algorithms to target individuals based on their behavior, interests, and even personal struggles. What many people don’t realize is that this targeted approach often steers them into dangerous territory, just as it did in the past. From psychedelic drugs being marketed as “natural” and “safe,” to deceptive ads claiming to offer solutions to complex issues like mental health or gender identity, these ads are being designed to hit vulnerable people where it hurts the most.

Mushrooms and Psychedelic Drugs: The New Health Craze?

One particularly troubling trend is the rise of advertisements promoting psychedelic mushrooms and other drugs as quick fixes for mental health issues. These ads, often disguised as wellness tips or natural remedies, capitalize on growing interest in alternative therapies, making vague promises of healing depression, anxiety, or PTSD. However, the potential risks — psychosis, addiction, and cognitive damage — are often downplayed or ignored entirely.

Just as ads for cigarettes used to promise relaxation and better health, these ads for psychedelic substances exploit the desperation of those suffering from mental illness. In reality, much like the false promises of the past, the long-term effects of these substances remain poorly understood, with dangerous consequences likely for many who fall victim to these marketing ploys.

Ads Promoting Drugs and Harmful Lifestyles

The influence of ads promoting drugs has not vanished in our so-called modern era of regulation and responsibility. Instead, these ads are merely cloaked in new forms. Today, drugs are promoted in subtle ways — whether it’s through “wellness” influencers touting the benefits of CBD, psychedelics, or other substances, or flashy online ads encouraging experimentation. Much like the tobacco ads of the mid-20th century, today’s drug-related ads are dressed up as healthy choices or paths to self-improvement, when in reality, they continue to cause long-term harm to individuals and society.

Gender and Identity: Exploiting Vulnerabilities

Perhaps one of the most controversial areas in modern advertising is the way Google Ads and other platforms are being used to push certain views or products related to gender identity. Ads that claim to “help” people explore their sexuality or promote certain lifestyle choices under the guise of self-discovery are not uncommon today. Much like the feminine hygiene ads of the past, these ads exploit deeply personal issues, offering dubious solutions that may do more harm than good. The focus on “quick fixes” and the pressure to conform to certain societal narratives can create lasting emotional and psychological damage, particularly for younger, impressionable audiences.

Explaining :
Sexuality: Male, Female
Personality: Gay, Lez, …

“Sexual identity made by Communism Party of USSR from the Cold War”

The Same Old Story: Money Over People

While the products being marketed today may be different from those of the past, the underlying motivation remains the same: profit at the expense of public health. Much like tobacco companies ignored the links between smoking and lung cancer for decades, today’s digital ad ecosystem often turns a blind eye to the long-term impact of its content. The algorithms are optimized not for truth or safety, but for clicks, views, and, ultimately, revenue.

Much like how ads in the 1950s steered people toward cigarettes, processed food, and hazardous chemicals, today’s ads manipulate viewers into believing that substances like psychedelic mushrooms, vaping, or lifestyle products for identity exploration are harmless, or even healthy. The ultimate goal is still to exploit vulnerability for profit, putting lives at risk for the sake of ad revenue.

Have We Learned Nothing?

When we look back on ads from the 20th century that encouraged dangerous behaviors — like doctors endorsing cigarettes or lead paint being marketed as safe for children — it seems absurd that anyone ever believed them. Yet, in today’s world, we are still bombarded by misleading and harmful ads, just dressed up in new forms. The key difference is that these ads are more personalized, and they reach us directly through our screens, wherever we are.

Just as we now view those old campaigns with disbelief and horror, future generations may look back at the ads of today — promoting drugs, harmful lifestyles, and quick-fix solutions — with the same shock and dismay. Have we learned nothing?

The Takeaway: Stay Vigilant

The media and advertising industries continue to prioritize profits over people, perpetuating a cycle that puts public health at risk. As consumers, it’s our responsibility to remain skeptical of the promises made by advertisers, especially when they involve our health, safety, and well-being. Before trusting any ad, whether it’s promoting the next superfood, drug, or lifestyle choice, it’s essential to do our own research and think critically about the long-term impacts.

In an age where algorithms drive advertising content, staying informed and vigilant is more important than ever. The more things change, the more they stay the same — and today’s dangerous ads might just become tomorrow’s cautionary tales.

Disclaimer:

Sexuality: Male, Female
Personality: Gay, Lez, …