--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: It did what all ads are supposed to do…" description: "\"It did what all ads are supposed to do: create an anxiety relievable by purchase.\" — David Foster Wallace" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/483/david-foster-wallace-161_ads_it-did-what-all-ads-are-supposed-to-do-c_2664127.jpg" --- # It did what all ads are supposed to do: create an anxiety… ![“It did what all ads are supposed to do: create an anxiety relievable by purchase.” quote by David Foster Wallace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/483/david-foster-wallace-161_ads_it-did-what-all-ads-are-supposed-to-do-c_2664127.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/483/david-foster-wallace-161_ads_it-did-what-all-ads-are-supposed-to-do-c_2664127.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/483/david-foster-wallace-161_ads_it-did-what-all-ads-are-supposed-to-do-c_2664127.jpg) > “It did what all ads are supposed to do: create an anxiety relievable by purchase.” [David Foster Wallace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-foster-wallace/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The quote critiques advertising's ability to create anxiety that can be alleviated through purchasing. **In simple terms:** Ads generate anxiety that buying can relieve. Key Takeaway Recognize and resist consumer‑driven anxiety. Themes marketing consumer behavior psychology Mood critical insightful Type critical analytical When to use this quote - shopping decisions - media literacy - budget planning Key Concepts anxiety materialism advertising tactics Questions to Reflect On - How do you differentiate genuine need from marketed desire? - What alternatives reduce anxiety without purchase? A Different Perspective It may oversimplify consumer motivations. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Ads](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ads/) [Ads Supposed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ads-supposed-2451156/) [Advertising](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/advertising/) [Anxiety](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/anxiety/) [Anxiety Relievable](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/anxiety-relievable-2451154/) [Create Anxiety](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/create-anxiety-1582370/) [Marketing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/marketing/) [Persons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/persons/) [Purchase](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/purchase/) [Relievable Purchase](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/relievable-purchase-2451155/) ## Related quotes > [I don't know what my greatest fear is. It's hard to say. 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