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Old 03-29-2010, 12:42 PM   #11
Jaime_Astorga
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Posts: 274
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Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Florida
Device: PRS-350-SC: Sony Reader Pocket Edition


As far as I am concerned, this bill is worthless. It completely misses the point that high textbook prices do not arise from printing, distribution costs, or even typesetting and author royalties; textbook prices are high because textbooks are inelastic goods, which allows textbook sellers to charge whatever they like (within reason; a $1500 book isn't likely to sell, but a $150 book will). If a professor makes a particular calculus textbook mandatory for the class, you can't shop around for other texts which cover the material better or are cheaper. Even the used-book market is stifled by means of completely worthless new editions which move a couple of sections around and add a few pictures, so that you have to buy the newest edition for fear that when your professor assigns problems 1-5 from page 13 you will not be able to find the assignment.

These factors don't magically go away because the books happen to be electronic rather than printed. Indeed, most likely commercial e-books could not be re-sold, obliterating the second-hand market completely. Much like in the dot-com bubble, what we have is a bunch of people putting their faith on technology to improve things without understanding the way to use it. Plus, printed copies, if at all still available for those who like them, are likely to be just as expensive as always. The situation is improved little, if at all.

I'll make a post later about what I think the best way to harness e-textbook potential is.
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