From the knock of the traveling salesman, to the ring ring ring of the telemarketer, to the electronic virus that is SPAM, marketing has never been more invasive. For many Americans, home is becoming less sanctuary and more like a place under siege.
To gauge all-out consumer frustration just look at the response to the new National "Do Not Call" registry, which gives consumers immunity from telemarketing. In less than one week, more than fifteen million people have put their names on this national do not disturb sign. But maybe Americans are missing the point. Maybe the incessant calls and emails and faxes about generic Viagra, watermelon weight loss programs, are not just annoyances, maybe they're just the latest greatest face of good old fashioned capitalism.
David Weinberger, columnist for Darwin Magazine, author of The Cluetrain Manifesto, Internet contributor to NPR's All Things Considered
Adam Hanft, President of Hanft Byrne Raboy & Partners. He's a nationally recognized authority on consumer marketing, business strategy and social trends, and monthly columnist for Inc. magazine
Adam Goldberg, Policy analyst at Consumers Union in Washington DC.
