a friend of mine (40s) has lived with his parents (70s) and they have cable tv. he has been living with them since his early 30s and he thinks he has it all figured out, because he DVRs his stories and then does that psychotic fast-forwarding thing where he stares at the TV, mechanic gripping the remote with his finger over the button while the screen flashes "random" images of giant flame-grilled burgers, corporate logos, movie stills, and sexy people holding products until the program interstitial appears and he clicks the button to go back to normal speed for Rick & Morty / South Park.

he fully believes he is now immune to advertising by engaging in this dystopian ritual. i told him there is a non-zero chance that he is more ensorcelled than ever.