Someone Else's Great Idea

This seems like such a good idea, why didn't someone (me) think of it before? In case you don't feel like clicking on the link, MacMillan publishers is offering digital textbooks which professors can personalize by not only reordering or deleting chapters, but adding their own materials. In the example given in the article, the digital version was one third the price of the online version.

I have one question: will professors' tweaked versions of textbooks be available to the public, or only to those in a class?

Actually, I have another question: what brilliant .com should I think up? What is so obvious and necessary? Online $20 an hour therapy sessions? A website that looks at your internet browsing history and introduces you to people with similar interests? Digital rubix cubes?

Back in Civilization

Back from the mountains. Something like the mountain pictured above (maybe actually that one, I can't tell), but in color and with more snow (thank you Ansel Adams). I hope every had a fantastic new years, and that 2010 is just incredible.

Unrelatedly, I wanted to throw out into the internets a strong book recommendation. The Children's Book is in fact not a children's book, and is my favorite book of 2009. I also strongly recommend buying the book (if you decide to) through ordering it by clicking on the link above, or through any other independent bookstore. I would be so unhappy if I thought a book recommendation from me led someone to support amazon at the expense of a real bookstore.