Marketing Creep

I am really disturbed by how much commercials have crept into our lives. Commercials used to be between television shows, but now they are absolutely everywhere on the internet. It has somehow become the burden of the individual to figure out what is being written spontaneously and what is being subsidized.

My story about 'marketing creep':

Back in 2002, I went to see a movie with a friend. It was the first time I had been to a movie theater in at least 6 years (no joke). I was a little worried about getting there a few minutes late, but then remembered they usually show a few minutes worth of previews for upcoming movies.

We arrive and the previews began...I thought. Wait a minute...what?! There were showing actual commercials - paid advertisements for random things that had nothing to do with anything, as far as I was concerned. I turned to my friend in shock. He looked at me, a little puzzled. I literally turned around and scanned the faces of the people in the movie theater. I was the only person who was trying to figure out what was happening and why no one was responding with disgust (or at least noticeable irritation).

I still feel like that sometimes. Exactly when did it become okay to sell us stuff after we paid a fair amount of money to see a movie? Or with mobile phones...when did it become okay to show me commercials when I check the weather forecast? I paid for my phone. I pay for monthly service. I pay for all the extra data capabilities. And I have to endure advertisements every time I want to see how warm it will be that day?

I'm not sure what's worse: that this has happened or that people are not more upset about it.