10

Just spent $550 on textbooks

posted in Off Topic
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#1
DSGFan

This is insane. There's no way textbooks should be this expensive. It's honestly a scam.

#2
Coures
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LoL

#3
Pubber
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shoulda bought used ones from upper years, or just sell it after your done

#4
geometrix
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average U.S. College experience

#5
Zsaber
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umm hello? library genesis, pdf drive, and z library

#6
masonhil
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Use LibGen

#7
DSGFan
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Pubber [#3]

shoulda bought used ones from upper years, or just sell it after your done

Brother, this IS the cost of the used ones. And I don't know any upper classmen. Starting my first year in my Ph.D. program

#8
jawn
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i'm on the opposite side of the spectrum where i got them for free but never used them

#9
DSGFan
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Zsaber [#5]

umm hello? library genesis, pdf drive, and z library

  1. Most of the textbooks are 30 year old graduate physics textbooks which have no ebook version
  2. I don't want to risk using something that's illegal. There hasn't been any case of an individual using and being punished by the government, but there have been cases of students getting kicked out of their program, and I don't need some petty blabbermouth who gets pissed off at me at some point ratting me out to professors.
#10
DSGFan
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masonhil [#6]

Use LibGen

#9

#11
Cu55Ku55_______
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LMAO

#12
DSGFan
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jawn [#8]

i'm on the opposite side of the spectrum where i got them for free but never used them

must be nice.

#13
Zsaber
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DSGFan [#9]
  1. Most of the textbooks are 30 year old graduate physics textbooks which have no ebook version
  2. I don't want to risk using something that's illegal. There hasn't been any case of an individual using and being punished by the government, but there have been cases of students getting kicked out of their program, and I don't need some petty blabbermouth who gets pissed off at me at some point ratting me out to professors.

jesus thats rough

#14
DSGFan
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Zsaber [#13]

jesus thats rough

it is what it is. TBF, there were just a couple of textbooks where there was a pdf online, but I want to have all these books because they have concepts I am going to be referencing in my future research.

#15
ShuGo
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How many textbooks did you get 💀

#16
DSGFan
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ShuGo [#15]

How many textbooks did you get 💀

6

#17
jawn
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DSGFan [#12]

must be nice.

not really, they're literally useless

#18
IonlywatchvcjXD
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jawn [#17]

not really, they're literally useless

Have you read them thoroughly or you just take a glance and then come to the conclusion? 😅

To me, my textbooks are the ones setting me apart from my classmates(they never read the textbooks while I do ).

#19
smthlikeyou11
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550 for textbooks is kinda crazy

#20
DSGFan
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jawn [#17]

not really, they're literally useless

For physics, they're pretty useful

#21
Bonkbonk201
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Bro this just reminded me, i saw in the charity shop recently tons of school books for 2 pound each (textbooks and base level national 5's) for Americans this would be equivalent to SATII or AP courses, I went round a little late because i was busy and all the psychology ones were gone but i got 2 good media ones (Advanced higher and National 5) so yippee

#22
jawn
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IonlywatchvcjXD [#18]

Have you read them thoroughly or you just take a glance and then come to the conclusion? 😅

To me, my textbooks are the ones setting me apart from my classmates(they never read the textbooks while I do ).

i have never opened them, not even my professors recommend studying from them, but then again im in comp sci so maybe that's why, other departments use them a fair amount

#23
jawn
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DSGFan [#20]

For physics, they're pretty useful

i hope they're worth it

#24
DSGFan
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Bonkbonk201 [#21]

Bro this just reminded me, i saw in the charity shop recently tons of school books for 2 pound each (textbooks and base level national 5's) for Americans this would be equivalent to SATII or AP courses, I went round a little late because i was busy and all the psychology ones were gone but i got 2 good media ones (Advanced higher and National 5) so yippee

That's nice. In my case, it's grad level physics text books

#25
ccccc_
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Use textbooks for what?

I mean there are online materials and slides

#26
cloudberry
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DSGFan [#7]

Brother, this IS the cost of the used ones. And I don't know any upper classmen. Starting my first year in my Ph.D. program

Good luck!

#27
cloudberry
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DSGFan [#16]

6

Okay, ~$90 per textbook isn't unreasonable, now that I think about it. Especially if it's near 1000 pages and hardcover as well.

#28
IonlywatchvcjXD
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jawn [#22]

i have never opened them, not even my professors recommend studying from them, but then again im in comp sci so maybe that's why, other departments use them a fair amount

Tbf everytime I read textbooks I felt like my English is sooo bad, so I can see why some recommend not to do it.

It does depend on the subjects and the professors tho. There are some subjects that I don't need to get the textbooks, while others I need to read the textbook because the professor is just mumbling 😂.

#29
Bonkbonk201
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DSGFan [#24]

That's nice. In my case, it's grad level physics text books

Bro, there were tons of physic books left, Both physics and maths never sell out that fast

#30
Pubber
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DSGFan [#7]

Brother, this IS the cost of the used ones. And I don't know any upper classmen. Starting my first year in my Ph.D. program

0_0 GOOD LUCK

#31
lucidity0000
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ccccc_ [#25]

Use textbooks for what?

I mean there are online materials and slides

for study and preparation for exams? Isn't that obvious

#32
Yuh_aye
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https://annas-archive.org/

^ could have saved you 550 dollars

#33
Anoymouse
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Yuh_aye [#32]

https://annas-archive.org/

^ could have saved you 550 dollars

Wait i mean surely VLR users aren't this stupid

Holy shit i really gotta study don't wanna be this stupid

#MVGA #MAKEVLRGREATAGAIN

#34
DSGFan
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Bonkbonk201 [#29]

Bro, there were tons of physic books left, Both physics and maths never sell out that fast

Do they have textbooks on general relativity and statistical mechanics?

#35
DSGFan
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Yuh_aye [#32]

https://annas-archive.org/

^ could have saved you 550 dollars

#9

#36
DSGFan
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cloudberry [#27]

Okay, ~$90 per textbook isn't unreasonable, now that I think about it. Especially if it's near 1000 pages and hardcover as well.

two of the textbooks were under $50. That's the only reason it averages out to a reasonable price.

#37
DSGFan
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cloudberry [#26]

Good luck!

Thank you!

#38
DSGFan
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Pubber [#30]

0_0 GOOD LUCK

Thanks!

#39
Yuh_aye
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DSGFan [#35]

#9

unless you absolutely 100% need a physical copy why not just get a pdf and keep it on your computer for personal use? nobody's gonna rat you out that's just paranoia. If you're really that scared just don't tell anyone lmao its not hard. And if it's physics and the old version truly doesn't exist (the site I sent has almost everything), is there a reason you can't just get a more modern version on the same topic?

#40
cloudberry
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DSGFan [#36]

two of the textbooks were under $50. That's the only reason it averages out to a reasonable price.

Damn 😭

#41
DSGFan
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Yuh_aye [#39]

unless you absolutely 100% need a physical copy why not just get a pdf and keep it on your computer for personal use? nobody's gonna rat you out that's just paranoia. If you're really that scared just don't tell anyone lmao its not hard. And if it's physics and the old version truly doesn't exist (the site I sent has almost everything), is there a reason you can't just get a more modern version on the same topic?

Modern versions often cut down on worked out examples. Recently I was looking at a 2nd edition of a textbook that has a 6th edition and the 2nd edition had a very useful example of fortran code for solving the schrodinger equation which got cut out of the newer versions.

You say no one's going to rat me out, but you'd be surprised what kinds of characters are in grad school. What I'm talking about is a much bigger problem in humanities than the sciences, but it still stands. I want to be able to work in study groups and not have a mysterious online version.

#42
DSGFan
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cloudberry [#40]

Damn 😭

Also keep in mind that everything I got is used, not new. If it was new I would have spent over $1000

#43
TM06Nick
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if i MUST buy them and can't get them for free always look for rental options or online versions that can be rented for x amount of months

#44
Yuh_aye
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DSGFan [#41]

Modern versions often cut down on worked out examples. Recently I was looking at a 2nd edition of a textbook that has a 6th edition and the 2nd edition had a very useful example of fortran code for solving the schrodinger equation which got cut out of the newer versions.

You say no one's going to rat me out, but you'd be surprised what kinds of characters are in grad school. What I'm talking about is a much bigger problem in humanities than the sciences, but it still stands. I want to be able to work in study groups and not have a mysterious online version.

Fair enough, sounds like you actually do need a physical copy. Still, if an ebook for a specific version you want exists, and you can find the pdf for free online (very likely), you could just use the pdf and if you ever get in any hot water with somebody you just go ahead and buy the ebook.

#45
thenutoriousPRO
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DSGFan [#14]

it is what it is. TBF, there were just a couple of textbooks where there was a pdf online, but I want to have all these books because they have concepts I am going to be referencing in my future research.

what are u studying?

#46
Bonkbonk201
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Another option, think about checking out the local libraries. I've rented out psychology books in the past so I'd assume they have school books available for rent.

#47
Bonkbonk201
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DSGFan [#34]

Do they have textbooks on general relativity and statistical mechanics?

Nope, Just very generalized "this is the stuff you'd get on a test for x y and z"

My Media one has sections focused on specific stuff like Editing, Recording, Audio, etc

#48
Katharize
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We have Ncert books that are like 2$ which are necessary for highschool

#49
nihso
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I usually get them free idk where you're going.

#50
NexusNomad
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Katharize [#48]

We have Ncert books that are like 2$ which are necessary for highschool

Bruh that guy is doing PhD and you're talking about high school. The engineering books are way too costly (min ₹20k) if you decide to buy it. I never did tho.

#51
Katharize
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NexusNomad [#50]

Bruh that guy is doing PhD and you're talking about high school. The engineering books are way too costly (min ₹20k) if you decide to buy it. I never did tho.

Renting them would be better than purchasing a 20k book💀

#52
NexusNomad
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Here usually the professors recommend books which are already in the college library or they themselves get the pdf of the book and send it to everyone through mail.

#53
Katharize
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NexusNomad [#52]

Here usually the professors recommend books which are already in the college library or they themselves get the pdf of the book and send it to everyone through mail.

Are books for phd really obscure that you cannot find them on z library or something?

#54
NexusNomad
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Katharize [#51]

Renting them would be better than purchasing a 20k book💀

The thing is majority of the courses requires you to learn 5-8 chapters from a book which has 16 chapters. So buying a book that costly is not worth it given that the other half of the book is basically useless for your course. And most of the times you can find these books online or in your college library. I'm not sure how it is in America or his college.

#55
Katharize
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NexusNomad [#54]

The thing is majority of the courses requires you to learn 5-8 chapters from a book which has 16 chapters. So buying a book that costly is not worth it given that the other half of the book is basically useless for your course. And most of the times you can find these books online or in your college library. I'm not sure how it is in America or his college.

I guess same as their health care system

#56
ballsinyojaws
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it is a scam for sure, luckily I can find some of my books on a website so it cuts the cost down but it's such bullshit, don't colleges get enough from tuition........ greedy fucks

#57
Katharize
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ballsinyojaws [#56]

it is a scam for sure, luckily I can find some of my books on a website so it cuts the cost down but it's such bullshit, don't colleges get enough from tuition........ greedy fucks

College's get profits from selling these books? I thought private publishers had that

#58
NexusNomad
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Katharize [#53]

Are books for phd really obscure that you cannot find them on z library or something?

Not sure about PhD but ug and pg (im not completely sure) doesn't require you to buy costly books.

#59
Chakshu
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thenutoriousPRO [#45]

what are u studying?

humanities

#60
DSGFan
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thenutoriousPRO [#45]

what are u studying?

I'm studying physics.

#61
DSGFan
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Chakshu [#59]

humanities

bruh why tf you answering for me and lying?

#62
DSGFan
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Katharize [#57]

College's get profits from selling these books? I thought private publishers had that

In a lot of cases the books are sold through the college's book store. I have Amazon prime, so I buy my books for a lower price than the bookstore price.

#63
Katharize
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DSGFan [#61]

bruh why tf you answering for me and lying?

Physics is humanities wdym

#64
DSGFan
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TM06Nick [#43]

if i MUST buy them and can't get them for free always look for rental options or online versions that can be rented for x amount of months

The thing is several classes will use the same book, so in the long term it's cheaper to buy it once rather than rent it 3 times

#65
Chakshu
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DSGFan [#61]

bruh why tf you answering for me and lying?

wdym ?
physics is a sub-subject of Humanities

#66
DSGFan
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Katharize [#63]

Physics is humanities wdym

Ok you have to be trolling.

#67
DSGFan
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Chakshu [#65]

wdym ?
physics is a sub-subject of Humanities

You're surely trolling.

#68
Chakshu
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DSGFan [#67]

You're surely trolling.

bro u might as well stop ur program then
This shit general knowledge bro
wdym trolling

#69
Katharize
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Chakshu [#68]

bro u might as well stop ur program then
This shit general knowledge bro
wdym trolling

True that

#70
DSGFan
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Chakshu [#68]

bro u might as well stop ur program then
This shit general knowledge bro
wdym trolling

"The humanities are academic disciplines that study human society and culture, including how humans express themselves and what it means to be human."

plural noun: natural sciences
a branch of science that deals with the physical world, e.g. physics, chemistry, geology, biology.

In what world are these two the same? The natural sciences are in no way a part of the humanities; they are two distinct disciplines. I see your flag isn't from NA/Europe, so you might use the word humanities differently, but in NA and Europe the two are different.

#71
Chakshu
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DSGFan [#70]

"The humanities are academic disciplines that study human society and culture, including how humans express themselves and what it means to be human."

plural noun: natural sciences
a branch of science that deals with the physical world, e.g. physics, chemistry, geology, biology.

In what world are these two the same? The natural sciences are in no way a part of the humanities; they are two distinct disciplines. I see your flag isn't from NA/Europe, so you might use the word humanities differently, but in NA and Europe the two are different.

bro im just trolling hahahah
Humanities and Physics are two different things fs
Ive also done my masters in physics

#72
Chakshu
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DSGFan [#70]

"The humanities are academic disciplines that study human society and culture, including how humans express themselves and what it means to be human."

plural noun: natural sciences
a branch of science that deals with the physical world, e.g. physics, chemistry, geology, biology.

In what world are these two the same? The natural sciences are in no way a part of the humanities; they are two distinct disciplines. I see your flag isn't from NA/Europe, so you might use the word humanities differently, but in NA and Europe the two are different.

also wdym mexico is not from NA???
wht are u smoking

#73
DSGFan
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Chakshu [#71]

bro im just trolling hahahah
Humanities and Physics are two different things fs
Ive also done my masters in physics

omfg lmao

Congrats on completing a masters

#74
DSGFan
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Chakshu [#72]

also wdym mexico is not from NA???
wht are u smoking

I would consider mexico to be closer to SA in terms of culture than NA, but IDK, maybe I'm wrong. When I said NA and EU I was referring to "western culture"

#75
Katharize
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DSGFan [#70]

"The humanities are academic disciplines that study human society and culture, including how humans express themselves and what it means to be human."

plural noun: natural sciences
a branch of science that deals with the physical world, e.g. physics, chemistry, geology, biology.

In what world are these two the same? The natural sciences are in no way a part of the humanities; they are two distinct disciplines. I see your flag isn't from NA/Europe, so you might use the word humanities differently, but in NA and Europe the two are different.

Physics is more than just a science, it's a reflection of our human goal to understand the universe. From Newton to Einstein, it tells a story driven by curiosity. Like philosophy, physics grapples with deep questions about reality. Quantum mechanics, with its uncertainties, mirrors life's complexities. There's also a sense of art in physics the beauty of equations and the symmetry of laws are same to the beauty in art. Different physicists can interpret the same data in different ways, much like how we interpret literature. In this way, physics doesn't just explore the physical world, it connects deeply with the humans too. Therefore it is also a humanities subject.

#76
Katharize
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Katharize [#75]

Physics is more than just a science, it's a reflection of our human goal to understand the universe. From Newton to Einstein, it tells a story driven by curiosity. Like philosophy, physics grapples with deep questions about reality. Quantum mechanics, with its uncertainties, mirrors life's complexities. There's also a sense of art in physics the beauty of equations and the symmetry of laws are same to the beauty in art. Different physicists can interpret the same data in different ways, much like how we interpret literature. In this way, physics doesn't just explore the physical world, it connects deeply with the humans too. Therefore it is also a humanities subject.

Jk

#77
PamelaChu
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DSGFan [#74]

I would consider mexico to be closer to SA in terms of culture than NA, but IDK, maybe I'm wrong. When I said NA and EU I was referring to "western culture"

If Spain is western culture all of Latin America is, are u brain dead?

Christian nation, check
European language, check,
European inspired law, check.
Accepting freedoms (LGBT et Al), check.

Only reason Latin America wouldn't be western would be white supremacy, but Argentina and Uruguay are whiter than the US for example.

Mexico is culturally closer to the US via the southwest than it is to Brazil, Argentina, chile and Uruguay, as well as most of SA
XD

#78
emeraii
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I think it's a good decision. It's for your career, so it's an investment if you put your effort. Also some prefer reading from real books, and some love the smell. Anyway, investment in knowledge is always appreciated. Gl with your PhD. Make some kickass contribution.

#79
Nachtel
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emeraii [#78]

I think it's a good decision. It's for your career, so it's an investment if you put your effort. Also some prefer reading from real books, and some love the smell. Anyway, investment in knowledge is always appreciated. Gl with your PhD. Make some kickass contribution.

Obviously it's a good decision, but it shouldn't be the only option lol

#80
DSGFan
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PamelaChu [#77]

If Spain is western culture all of Latin America is, are u brain dead?

Christian nation, check
European language, check,
European inspired law, check.
Accepting freedoms (LGBT et Al), check.

Only reason Latin America wouldn't be western would be white supremacy, but Argentina and Uruguay are whiter than the US for example.

Mexico is culturally closer to the US via the southwest than it is to Brazil, Argentina, chile and Uruguay, as well as most of SA
XD

Sure, they're all broadly speaking part of western culture. I guess I'm wrong about Mexico. I just notice cultural things that are differnent. e.g. Mexico and SA in general care a lot about family and extended family and maintain those connections, while the US and western europe are a lot more atomized.

#81
thenutoriousPRO
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DSGFan [#60]

I'm studying physics.

oh thats cool

#82
alchemy02
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DSGFan [#7]

Brother, this IS the cost of the used ones. And I don't know any upper classmen. Starting my first year in my Ph.D. program

If the textbooks don't have to be hard copy, you can find them online for free. libgen or z library check there.

#83
Vegaaa
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Frags
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just use a piracy site lol

#84
ash_knuckles
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Vegaaa [#83]

just use a piracy site lol

can you read

#85
Shuaaaa
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DSGFan [#7]

Brother, this IS the cost of the used ones. And I don't know any upper classmen. Starting my first year in my Ph.D. program

Well, that's probably why they're so much, no?

Honestly depends on where you're going to school, size of your program, and a few other things. I know the government in Canada subsidizes a good portion of the cost for books. I spent more in Uni, maybe $400 CAD in first year, and that slowly shrunk down as classes got smaller and it was more about the core classes for my BA. I'm doing a college program now and I spent $100 last year.

GL with your PhD!

#86
Shuaaaa
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Katharize [#63]

Physics is humanities wdym

?

#87
michaelisupset
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my condolences

#88
cobalt21312
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DSGFan [#7]

Brother, this IS the cost of the used ones. And I don't know any upper classmen. Starting my first year in my Ph.D. program

phd textbooks are probably pretty expensive. have you tried getting pdfs of them?

#89
Shuaaaa
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Chakshu [#65]

wdym ?
physics is a sub-subject of Humanities

Humanities (or social sciences, depending on the faculty) refers to history, sociology, anthro, poli-sci, and some liberal arts stuff like women/gender studies etc.

Maybe it's different in other places, but physics would be under a sciences faculty, with respect to his area of research (I.e. applied vs. Theoretical)

#90
Shuaaaa
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DSGFan [#74]

I would consider mexico to be closer to SA in terms of culture than NA, but IDK, maybe I'm wrong. When I said NA and EU I was referring to "western culture"

Mexico is definitely North America, both geographically and politically. Not sure where you're from in the states but most along the border have huge Latin populations for obvious reasons. It's the norm to at least know a little, moreso than other metropolis where there happens to be a pretty large Latino diaspora

#91
arin2016
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I did read #9 and pretty much everyone pirates so I think you are paranoid. If it is a book that is that expensive and necessary then it has a pirate copy on the internet, 100%

#92
Katharize
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Shuaaaa [#86]

?

I was trolling him 😭

#93
Vegaaa
0
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ash_knuckles [#84]

can you read

He said absolutely nothing ab pirating websites in title or text, get off my dick fat loser

#94
ash_knuckles
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Vegaaa [#93]

He said absolutely nothing ab pirating websites in title or text, get off my dick fat loser

retard mad he doesn't posess the cognitive ability to off-handedly skim a webpage and retain information. Sad!

#95
Vegaaa
0
Frags
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ash_knuckles [#94]

retard mad he doesn't posess the cognitive ability to off-handedly skim a webpage and retain information. Sad!

ur poor

#96
ash_knuckles
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Frags
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Vegaaa [#95]

ur poor

says the retard pirate

#97
anDr_xxx
0
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DSGFan [#7]

Brother, this IS the cost of the used ones. And I don't know any upper classmen. Starting my first year in my Ph.D. program

Good luck!!!

#98
Vegaaa
0
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ash_knuckles [#96]

says the retard pirate

im rich bcus i pirate ez

#99
ash_knuckles
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Vegaaa [#98]

im rich bcus i pirate ez

fair
continue.

#100
BLuko
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Textbooks are ok to deal with. Just gotta be smart with your money. It's the online homework that kills me inside.

#101
ensoy-every-sandwich
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Frags
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if u like physics enough for grad school then textbooks are like your bible, youll grow to love them
wont you use pirated pdfs as a handy additional reference anyways

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