There is a very real problem of people not being aware of their impulse to buy. In fact, it's the foundation for all advertising: plant messages in the buyer's mind well before the buying occurs.
I know that sounds Manchurian Candidate-ish but that's the nature of Marketing and Advertising.
So perhaps the author is not entirely wrong in positing that distraction is, in a way, fueling meaningless purchases?
You bet. People have been making questionable purchasing decisions for a LONG time. To blame it ALL on a smartphone or some other distraction is a bit simplistic.
