> My overriding personal objective is to be able to exist without being expected to consume and spend constantly every moment, waking or otherwise

We're fully aligned. The original point I was trying to make is that advertising can be done well, in a way that is compatible with this objective. Unfortunately, in many cases they aren't.

> In an ideal world, I should have to give consent to be advertised to

I thought about this a while back, and I think being bombarded with requests for consent is worse than being bombarded with ads. Cookie consent banners convinced me.

> My kids should come home with a flyer for it.

Fliers are ads.

> I will actively seek out and research a car.

Probably in some classified ads.