Demand‑Curve Inversion for Vice

Smartphones and platform design reverse normal consumer economics for addictive goods: increased exposure, engagement hooks, and low transaction friction make consumers less responsive to price/quality signals and more manipulable, so supply no longer equilibrates with informed demand. That inversion means traditional market remedies (competition, disclosure) are weak and regulatory or structural interventions become necessary. — If true, this reframes many policy fights — from gambling and porn to AI companions and social media — shifting the debate from market liberalization to structural containment and public‑health regulation.