Great post OP, just saw it the now.

I think you are absolutely right with regard to manipulation through the media, certain themes will appear or reappear in tv and flm, seemingly at random, then become focal points on the political agenda, apparently coincidentally.
I think a lot of the way it's used is to condition or accustom us to 'their' new designs.

As for the addiction factor, again I think you are spot on. Studies have shown that people on the autistic spectrum are prone to 'stimming', be it visual, auditory or tactile. Maybe we're all like this, just some to a lesser degree. Just because you've and don't follow CSI though dosn't mean you're out their reach. Have you heard of 'Binaural Beats'? Certain frequencies, based on the Solfeggio frequencies [link to en.wikipedia.org] that can induce strange feelings when listened to through headphones. Some reports are coming out proclaming the special nature of these frequencies, including the ability to regrow DNA [link to mattovermatter.com] . Now, if this field is like most others who knows what other frequencies they could have found that may affect people on a subconscious level, and how they could be used without our knowledge.
Finally, semi-related there's this, here and now. Have you heard of computer addiction? If not, you have now;
[link to www.spiritualriver.com]

We are subjected to complete sensory assault unlike any generation before us and who knows what the motive or final result could be?