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On Campus Blog
Alex Friedrich

Why textbooks cost so much

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User:K.lee via Wikimedia Commons

Planned obsolescence -- not just for appliances anymore

In light of the recent federal legislation to reduce the cost of textbooks, The New York Times offers a series of essays in its Room for Debate feature on "The Real Cost of Textbooks."

The book publishers supported the legislation. But a number of experts on the economics of textbook marketing said it will have little impact.

By the way, I'm skeptical of the "Get Rid of Print and Go Digital" essay by Anya Kamenetz. I tried reading journal articles online while in grad school in 2008-09, but found the format too distracting. Holding the paper form, using a highlighter and making notes in the margins helped me focus and remember.

Anyone have a preference for the digital form?