Interesting views, although seeing a brain as a bunch of switches is imho a little limitative. Sure, there are switches that Marketers abuse of quite a lot , but I do believe that the 'middleman' can have more influence than you think, if this same middle man is ready for the effort...

Seeing humanity as a species and not picking up outlier cases, we are not at all different. We more or less, have main switches that can be turned on and off. Free will goes kaput.

Unfortunately, the instant gratification process, that is becoming the norm these day, makes this middleman less powerful in counting the numerous attempts from various corporations and states to control our brain switches...

Humans always had the instant gratification mechanism embedded. E,g back in the day we went crazy for sugary fruits because they supply quick energy. today we chase cheesecakes for the same reason. Nature does not care about what we want or that we want it right here right now. Nature cares only about passing genes.