The concept is predicated upon the ability to create rational symbolic strings in your own mind. This of course is different from the non-symbolic instinctive desire to cry if one is hungry.

It's when these behaviors persist into adulthood, while also being amplified by the advertising industry who understands all this - and which is profoundly emotionally manipulative - that it becomes a problem.

Funny, doesn't the tech industry today get most of its money from advertising? That would explain some things.