Raising Good Consumers

Texas is one of six states that allow advertising on school buses; the others include Colorado, Arizona, Florida, Minnesota, and Tennessee.

This seems a more politically acceptable way to raise money than increasing taxes. The concept has prompted politicians in Washington State, Ohio, New Jersey and Utah to consider it as well.

Opponents say children shouldn’t travel on “moving media kiosks.” They also argue that parents should be allowed to choose ad-free buses for their children to ride on (multiple choice buses–there’s a great cost-cutting idea!)

But such voices are likely to be drowned out in the end. Commercialization’s just too easy an answer to economic problems.

Some day soon, students may come across various forms of “product placement” in their classrooms. For example:

# Boston’s tourism office could have coupons handed out during American history lessons.
# Dow Chemical products could be prominently featured in chemistry class materials.
# Upcoming exhibits might be advertised by sponsors in art classes (in any schools that still offer art classes, that is).

Sound far-fetched? The writing’s already on the wall-and the school buses.