Thursday, September 2, 2010

The Lobbying of...Drugs? No, Textbooks!

In Hot, Flat, and Crowded, Thomas Friedman concludes that the world is leveling off due to the availability and inflammation of the online universe. Today, you must 'go techno' in order to survive and compete on every level. Not everyone appears to agree. In a recent proposal in Moscow, the massive quantities of textbooks owned by students were to be replaced with e-readers. Specially designed e-readers that are not harmful to the eye, environmentally friendly and much lighter than seven thick textbooks. Why would this amazing offer be turned down last minute? Due only to one 'publicly caring' reason: lobbying. In Russia, the textbook printing industry is a multi-million, if not multi-billion dollar business. It is so large that it is worth more than the drug underworld, literally. So, the only logical response would be to rightfully inform the public that after much testing, it is easily derived that this new technology is dangerous to the mental health of students:
It is known that the supply of textbooks is a multi-billion dollar business, unrivaled in volume, even with the business of drugs. And where there is multi-billion-dollar business - there is serious lobbying.

Publishing companies sounded the alarm. And, of course, in their anxiety they do not explain the real concern being the health of school children. Simon Kalinovich, a person from one of those companies, begins to bear raving news about the fact that the reader is obviously dangerous to the health of students. (Translated from Russian blogger, Exler)
Sadly, this is another prime example of the laundering of environmental resources, a brilliant idea and youth. Even the competition of a country's children in the ever demanding and increasing virtual world is not enough disband a corrupt business. Of course this was not to be unexpected, but it is painful to see the externalities every so often . The question now is how much are they willing to risk for this industry?

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