Ban college professors making their own books mandatory

College professors should not make their own books mandatory purchases.

I have been a big believer of this ever since I was at University. In many of my classes the required reading wasn't just a textbook, it was the professor's textbook - often costing hundreds of dollars.

I'm not suggesting that accomplished professors shouldn't reference their own material while teaching - you'd expect them to believe in what they've written. But making it mandatory creates a clear conflict of interest. You're no longer just teaching the subject, you are creating a captive customer base with no ability to opt out.

I'd love for Perfectly Hedged and The Physical Trade to be used in classrooms worldwide but if I'm fortunate enough formally teach at a University, I would not make students buy them.

Education should be about access to knowledge, not enforced monetization.