You're pivoting right back to blaming the individual.

Why is it my responsibility to not be convinced - but if those companies are bombarding me with propaganda each day, backed by state-of-the-art psychology, that's perfectly fine?

Throw away your TV and always use an ad blocker online. You will still be exposed to some ads, but nothing compared to what you are avoiding.

In my case it works so well I am often unaware of new "trends" in products adverti

I am. Though it's hard to overcome the constant drumbeat of ads that exploit baser instincts. And while education is part of the answer it clearly doesn't work quickly or as thoroughly as regulation to protect the commons.