Tuesday, September 04, 2007

SCHOOL DAYS

i am back in school - this time working on my MBA...and i am already annoyed...

i had to spend nearly $300.00 on two textbooks, one of which (for my business analysis) is loaded with what i call ads...they are so cleverly made a part of the book that you would think they are relevant to the topic...there are whole pages devoted to the "great things" these companies are doing, and how they are good corporate citizens and great places at which to work...now if these accolades were incorporated into the text's reading, i wouldn't be so sour....but these are like full page ads...the language strongly suggests that they were written by the companies (not the book's publisher) and they come complete with logos, photos and mission statements...in fact, the first 4 - 5 pages of the book is all ads...

why is this so annoying?...

first, i have to pay for these people to cram their crap down my throat...i believe if i am going to spend my money on a textbook, then i should get text that is relevant to my learning - not to be force fed corporate crap....it's just like going to the movies...i pay to go see a movie...i am seated waiting for the film, and BAM - i am hit with ads for everything from coca-cola to toyota....YUK....i don't believe i should have to buy your advertisements...

second, i now begin to wonder how much of an influence these advertisers have on or over the publisher?...were the publishers forced or influenced in anyway to write favorably of these companies?

third and most important, why does the books cost so much money, when it is advertiser driven?...i am sure these companies paid to have their ads placed all over these books...that is a saving for the publisher...why do i not get to enjoy that saving?...instead, the price of text books keep going up, while the number of ads in the books also go up...

anyway, i am ready for classes, ready for the challenges and ready to learn (among other things) how to cleverly advertise my company...




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