Are Advertisements Reading Our Minds?

Have you ever felt like advertisements are eerily in tune with your thoughts? I recently experienced a moment that left me questioning how much our online interactions influence what we see.

Just this past Monday, I encountered a minor mishap when I cracked my phone screen. While waiting for it to be repaired, I decided to pass the time at a popular sporting goods store that was hosting a closing sale. As I made my way through the women’s section, curiosity led me to explore the men’s section, hoping to find something interesting for my boyfriend.

To my surprise, I stumbled upon an extensive display of Chubbies apparel—a brand that I found amusing due to its quirky name. I spent a few minutes laughing and browsing, but ultimately left the store empty-handed.

Fast forward to today, while mindlessly scrolling through my social media feed, an advertisement for Chubbies popped up. This was perplexing, especially considering I hadn’t searched for the brand online or mentioned it to anyone. To add to the strangeness, I typically don’t see ads for men’s clothing, so this felt particularly targeted.

It raises an interesting question: Are advertisements becoming so sophisticated that they can seemingly read our minds? With no correlation between my browsing habits and the ads showing up on my feed, it certainly feels unsettling. What are your thoughts on the matter? Do you believe our online activities are being monitored more closely than we realize?