“Cal” ~ Branding & Buying ~ “Educational Facilities”

** This is an excerpt of a response about Naomi Klein’s book “No Logo” – Force Fed reading – A book which is good, but could divulge the same information in 1/10th the writing**

Berkeley

Speaking of Branding and Brand Names in Chapter 17 Naomi Klein hits on the branding that takes place on campus’.

Nike, McDonald’s & Pepsi – Infiltrating the campus’ and the students turning it around, in turn making Pepsi the “Poster Corporation for their campus Free Burma movement.”

Things have evolved.

We have other issues arising which will not be spotted as easily.  “The Corporations” learn. 

And remember the ‘Public’ institutions where you achieve your academic success have balance sheets to keep in check as well.  Professors to pay $300k a year to keep on the roster at UCLA and sweaters and bumper stickers and an Image that you pay for.  For Profit Colleges Boom and I think … Well, what makes more sense, pushing a taxable industry or supporting an expense?   Is there more behind why college tuition is rising? 

Now there is a lot behind a name, and a lot of opportunity to follow when seeking employment to pay off debt used to acquire an education.  But shouldn’t we ask what is the ‘end’ we are looking for?  If we go to places of higher education, thinking outside of the box and stimulation of intellect, shouldn’t that be what is happening?  Or is the real end a Job, that pays well, with a Pedigree to hang on the wall?  I for some reason don’t see a lecture hall with 200 other students in it as an appropriate place to fire off inquisitive questions for the stimulation of curious and investigative thought, learning how to think. 

Selling High Priced Vocational Schools. 

(In a meeting recently one gentleman’s idea is to turn California’s Community Colleges into pure vocational schools… So what are they now?)

“So, what are you majoring in?”

 ~ “I’m going to school to become a __Insert JOB title Here__ (Dr. – Lawyer – Psych – Eng – Nurse)”

Educational Facilities are not for the Sake of Education.

What Are YOU Buying?