University of Phoenix Enrolls The New Pornographers

What did you think of when you hear the words "University of Phoenix"? I, for one, think of them as the biggest spammers and conveyor of pop-up ads. Well, the online fake university have forged their way onto national TV with the new "up-with-people" commercial challenging you to change your life.

Who did they enlist to help inspire a nation of Americans to drop being taught by humans for the cold, dead glare of a computer screen? Well, my buddies in the New Pornographers. Their song "Bleeding Heart Show" can be heard in the TV commercials. Ohhhhh, snap.

I've long debated on this site on the selling-out level of licensing songs for commercials. I've learned a lot about the practice from rock bands. What I know is that depending on their contract, they may or may not have a say in the matter. Sometimes, they don't even know. For instance, a deal might stipulate that the band have the right to approve or disapprove a song's use within a year of the songs release. After that, it's up to the label. The bigger artists have 100% say.

The strange thing that happen to me last year, a band's management sent me an e-mail asking where I saw a commercial using their song. Turns out, they never knew about it. The band has a say in the ads in Europe, but not in U.S. In any event, the band receives a check.

All this way business talk, but I found it odd that "The Bleeding Heart Show" was felt used in ads during football this weekend. I do beleive "Loose Translation" was used on some random commerical a few years ago. In the end, as long as they rock, it's all good.

As a side note, I met a girl at a party and she was telling me about going to school at night. I asked, "Oh, where do you take classes?" She said proudly, "University of Phoenix." I'm like, "Wow, ummm, you like this dip?"

In other New Pornographers news, you can now pick up their live album at their online store. It has a hidden track, which is their cover of Fleetwood Mac's "Dreams" that they played at Webster Hall in 2005.

Comments

[Tristan Smith]

I had a girl tell me the same thing. I avoided her the rest of the night.

[Jim Knasium]

I thought it was music snobbery, not general snobbery. I think anyone who tries to better themselves deserves credit, even if it is a correspondence school. When i think back on it, all the bullshit classroom time i had in college could have been better spent on independent study, on my own schedule, centered around living a semi-normal life.
This blog has frequent typos, syntax errors, and grammatical blunders. It's not a big deal, but maybe you could see if U of P has a writing class for you!
And let's be honest...... you didn't meet a girl at a party .

[Michael]

I'm sure Jim and I aren't the only ones who think your opinion of U of P students makes you look like an elitist asshole.

[Doug]

My take is that the University of Phoenix did to a great song what they were expected to do as corporate droll. They simply ripped off the catchy piece of a beaut of a tune. The value of the song is the build up to the piece U of P ripped off. The song is nothing without the dreamy start and the woo-woo-woo, woo-woo-woo-woo-woo-woo-woo build up. Then it leads to the masses-friendly part that U of P copped. It's a short cut that leaves you empty. It's much like what U of P does with their trade school that lacks of a college experience. It simply leaves you educated in a trade but empty. Kind of comes full circle with their use of the B.H.S. tune

[Martin]

you are a douchebag. you think that traditional school is for everyone and that anyone who tries to better themselves through an online educator is inferior to you? wow. you're an idiot. it's like saying that if you didn't goto harvard, you dont' deserve to make friend at a party. you. may god bless your pathetic little soul.

[Anne]

I'm not a sports fan, but I do love the song. They have a hook. And that's what people want.

[Professor Dave]

UoP is in fact a very legitimate school, offering both online and classroom-based courses. I've taught at both community college and state university levels, and UoP's academic standards are in many cases more rigorous. So hey, if they co-opt a cool chunk of music, more power to 'em!

[nic rossi]

it's sad when bad universities happen to good bands.

[aroo431]

I used to think the same thing, until I actually signed up at UoPhx. The on line course work is a lot harder, independent, and far more thorough than the campus school I attended, which is not a slacker school. I work 70 hours a week, study 20, sleep little and don't have to worry about some a-hole spiking my drink.

Get a Life.

[Phil]

The University of Phoenix is a fully accredited university - the same accreditation as University of Arizona, University of Michigan, University of Notre Dame. Same one. You can transfer credits between any of those schools. It is not a diploma mill.

[Zeus]

Dudes, do a little bit of research. There are three basic type of accredidation. There is national, regional, and program specific. Counterintuitively, national is the easiest to get and means the least. Sure you can get the government to help pay for financial aid, but the degree may not be worth much. Regional is tougher to get and you are kept in check by the governing bodies, such as the higher learning commision and every other school in the region. Program is when "experts" in that field, such as business, specifically select your programs to be top notch. The University of Phoenix has national, regional, AND program accredidation! It is a rock star of a school that just happens to be online. The difference between UoP and all of the other schools is that they try to include as many students as possible instead of trying to be something special by keeping people out. Those are my two cents. Don't believe it? Do the research yourself. :o)

[Todd]

I am proud to say I earned my undergraduate and graduate degree from University of Phoenix. I chose this university over a traditional university for many reasons. One, I enjoyed the fact that I did not have to stand in line for hours at a time just trying to get registered for classes...an academic counselor does that for you. I also enjoyed the fact that I did not have to purchase three or four books for one class, thus, saving me money, time, and helping me avoid an inconvenience of standing in line for God knows how long, just to be told that the book is out of stock. At a traditional university, you are just a number. You have to wait a week or longer to speak with an academic advisor. At UOPX, all you have to do is call your advisor up, and schedule an appointment the same day, or even the next day at the latest. The samething goes for your financial aid counselor. UOPX offers students convenience. Now of course, with convenience, there is a price, and this is a steeper amount of money for tuition. I personally would rather pay more for tuition at this type of university,then go spend my money at a traditional university, only to have to walk miles around campus just to get to my class. Another thing about UOPX is that the school allows you to take one class at a time. At a traditional school, you may have to take 3-4 classes during a semester, which is really crazy to do. The best thing about UOPX is that you have facilitators who have real-world experience. You don't get that at a traditional university. You get someone who only has book knowledge about a subject. At UOPX, you get someone who, not only has book knowledge, but practical knowledge as well. I would be itnerested to hear what you have to say about that.