Here’s what Russian hackers and textbook publishers have in common - the Denisonian

Americans are fiercely protective of their freedom to exchange ideas and information in public discourse, without outside intervention. Yet, textbook publishers breed miniature monopolies, in effect constructing huge financial barriers to swaths of information. Students shell out $1,168 every year on books and materials, according to the College Board. Many students can’t afford that kind of outflow, some just barely. “I worked all summer and a majority of all the money I earned from working was used to buy one semester’s worth of textbooks,” Kate Zimmerman ‘20, said. Publishers compete for professors, who may or may not care how much students pay for books. Sounds like a monopoly, doesn’t it? That’s because essentially, it is. But some colleges in California are fighting back with open educational resources. http://www.denisonian.com/2018/02/news/heres-what-russian-hackers-and-textbook-publishers-have-in-common/