So, we’ve all probably had a professor or three who tend to rather overzealously assign their own books as reading. Some are suggesting that because this practice creates a monetary incentive for professors to assign their own books, students should begin asking for rebates.

Now, given the current budge situation, we can’t say we really blame professors for trying to milk a few extra bucks out of their students. But Ayres argues that due to the conflict of interest between monetary concerns and teaching, professors who assign their own books may not in fact be selecting the best possible textbooks.

Has anyone actually gotten a rebate from a professor? Or has anyone asked for one? How’d it go over? (Splendidly, we bet.)

Let us know in the comments.

Image Source: acpl under Creative Commons
Ask Your Teachers for a Rebate [Freakonomics Blog]
Earlier: Save Up for a Slice of Zachary’s (or Two)

Posted in: The Specials
Tags:gilderoy lockhart, narcissism, textbooks
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… and ironic? According to a poll conducted by San Diego State University and something called “Youth Pulse LLC,” students are aware that their reasons for social networking are pretty much entirely self-centered.

So, let us get this straight. We know that no one else gives a flying f*ck what we drank last night and we still post it up all over the place for all the world to see?

Yeah, we guess that sounds about right, even if the poll doesn’t exactly reek of scientific significance. But does our self-awareness justify our obnoxious attention whoreishness? We say nay. Hey that rhymes! Ohmigod, we’re so clever. We totes have to go tweet this right now.

Image Source: pescatello under Creative Commons
Students Say Social Networking Is All About Themselves [Paper Trail]

Posted in: Sandbox
Tags:attention whore, Facebook, my generation, narcissism, Twitter
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