I didn’t berate you. Of course I made assumptions. I specifically said so. Where I did make assumptions I mentioned that this was a guess on my part. From m

I didn’t berate you. Of course I made assumptions. I specifically said so. Where I did make assumptions I mentioned that this was a guess on my part. From my reading of what you wrote your assumptions are embedded winthin your assertions without any acknowledgement that this is what you are doing. There’s a difference. > You really think this? I've worked in academia within the US and outside of. So, yes I think this. You didn’t understand what my rhetorical question was about. It was asking if you really think the whole rest of the world hasn’t sold out. There are lots of examples of people selling out outside of academia and even within European academia. I’m not seeking to change your mind. You have what appears to be a rigid view on how American faculty view textbooks. I suggest that your view is based on limited experience - as is mine - and that others reading this exchange consider that topics concerning something as large as the number of faculty and departments in the U.S. generally can’t be reduced to, “It’s because of (insert simple observation).” Your comment about unions shows you really don’t understand the issues that affect a large portion of the American academy. For one thing over 50% of courses are taught by adjuncts, and instructors whose employment is at the whim of administration. They are not in a position to withstand administrative pressures. Unions have nowhere near the pricing power on labor you seem to believe. Generally decisions are made by individuals who are not any more or less moral than others. Decisions get made because of forces at play. Such is my opinion. While I don’t like the tone of your posts and don’t agree with many of your assertions let me end by saying that I agree with the goal. Our goals appear aligned. I never use paid materials in my courses.