Um, what's the difference? Targeted online advertising involves enough research talent and money to make it not totally unlike an "increasingly convoluted financial instrument".
I don't think governments are going to be bailing out advertisers just yet.
Targeted advertising is probably less nefarious, but neither pursuit is going to cure cancer anytime soon.
Depends on who is generating the money and the type of things they do with it. Google seems to use its money benevolently, investing in projects and systems to improve the world.
Research: you learn about human nature, cultural values, usability, and other human expectations. In a time where technology is changing and more widely adopted, information on people's attitude towards what is offered in, through, and by different technologies is invaluable. The fact that there is financial incentive to do this research just makes it all the more potent.
How soon until wall street comes out with an advertising backed derivative. Then, the two worlds can merge.