Sure, manipulating people has existed for as long as there have been people. But only in recent decades has it been turned into a science, where psychologists specialize in optimizing marketing.
I don’t resent anyone for wanting to make profit. That’s what makes the modern world as, well, modern as it is.
What I do have problems with is squeezing the last drop of profit out of things, at the expense of quality and sustainability. And I resent exploiting human weakness, especially vulnerable people such as children, the elderly or those with mental illnesses.
One can still do very successful business without turning into an evil cartoon villain caricature, but many still choose otherwise.