> All of these implicit value transmissions are harmful to audiences, but the effects tend to be distant in time or space

Well I see harmful effects now. The word "consumers" for one. Children being manipulated for profits. Over-sexualization. Creating the idea that things will make you happy, and make this one of the most popular concepts in society. Dividing people through the message of "Individuality", even though that only really means buying things your neighbor wants.

> I've always found it interesting that prior to us paying for services with our private data, we paid for it with our attention.

And now we pay with both our private data, and our attention, as both are extremely related when you want to either control, convince, or confuse someone.