This document discusses the social criticisms and ethics of advertising. It explains that while ethical advertising can inform consumers and support economic growth, it can also mislead consumers, promote unhealthy products, and encourage conformity. The document outlines two types of criticism - short-term arguments about deception and manipulation, and long-term arguments about how advertising impacts societal values through proliferation, stereotyping, and being offensive. It also discusses laws around false advertising and the difference between puffery and deception.