Honest Ads Season 4 Episode 11 If Textbooks Were Honest
- TV-14
- April 3, 2017
- 3 min
If Textbooks Were Honest, the eleventh episode of the fourth season of Honest Ads, shines a much-needed light on the education industry in the United States. In this episode, the team behind Honest Ads takes a satirical look at the textbook industry and the publishers who create them.
The episode begins with Jason and Nikki reviewing a textbook that has been used by high school students for the past decade. They quickly realize that the information contained in this textbook is outdated, unreliable, and often downright wrong. They bring in a subject matter expert, Anna, who confirms their suspicions and points out the inaccuracies in the textbook's content.
From there, the team dives deeper into the world of textbook publishing. They visit a textbook publisher and speak with the CEO, who proudly proclaims that his company's goal is not to educate students, but to make a profit.
The team then takes a trip to a textbook conference and is shocked by what they see. Publishers are selling textbooks for exorbitant prices, claiming that they are "must-haves" for students. They also see firsthand the many tactics publishers use to convince educators to choose their textbooks, including lavish dinners and gifts.
Jason, Nikki, and the team then turn their attention to the cost of textbooks, which has skyrocketed in recent years. They speak with a college student who reveals that she has spent thousands of dollars on textbooks over the course of her education.
As always, Honest Ads offers a humorous take on a serious issue. Throughout the episode, they use humor to point out the absurdity of the textbook industry and the ways in which it fails students and educators alike. At the same time, they highlight the urgent need for change in the industry and offer potential solutions.
Ultimately, If Textbooks Were Honest is a thought-provoking episode that encourages viewers to look critically at the education industry and demand better for students.