The covering of every surface with advertising is not indicative of more 'commerce being done'. People are still buying and selling even when there isn't a giant garish billboard 30 feet over their heads. And plenty of advertising-covered neighborhoods are just dead.

You're used to a secondary attribute, so you associate it with the actual thing. It's like growing up with muscle cars, and associating loud noise with a powerful engine. Well, we've also got electric cars. Peace and quiet doesn't mean a slow car.