5 ms·

Here are a couple of relevant quotes from Freeman Dyson (who does not have a PhD): “Well, I think it actually is very destructive. I'm now retired, but when I

Here are a couple of relevant quotes from Freeman Dyson (who does not have a PhD): “Well, I think it actually is very destructive. I'm now retired, but when I was a professor here [Institute for Advanced Study in Princeton], my real job was to be a psychiatric nurse. There were all these young people who came to the institute, and my job was to be there so they could cry on my shoulder and tell me what a hard time they were having. And it was a very tough situation for these young people. They come here. They have one or two years and they're supposed to do something brilliant. They're under terrible pressure — not from us, but from them. So, actually, I've had three of them who I would say were just casualties who I'm responsible for. One of them killed himself, and two of them ended up in mental institutions. And I should've been able to take care of them, but I didn't. I blame the Ph.D. system for these tragedies. And it really does destroy people. If they weren't under that kind of pressure, they could all have been happy people doing useful stuff. Anyhow, so that's my diatribe. But I really have seen that happen."

bellerose 8y ago
I wouldn't go after a PhD unless being born into a rich family (with a potential fall back). Otherwise its a ticket to an early grave and or lost earning potential. I've encountered a few colleagues who are beyond gifted in what makes them survive the trial. I had a roommate finishing his masters and going for the PhD afterwards. Guy was making bank by prostituting himself to women every few nights. Slept till noon before going to work on his research. I cannot imagine how hard it must be if someone is pursuing the degree without any wealth helping him/her out. I doubt scholarships would be much if any relief. I definitely can see persons ending up in psych wards or taking their life if it becomes too much.
- jopsloj 8y ago
  Well that escalated quickly ..
- deleted 8y ago
  [deleted]
- pmyteh 8y ago
  It depends a lot on the circumstances of the individual and their lab/supervisor. If the environment is supportive and a sufficient stipend is provided, then it's achievable without rich parents. The environment is very difficult to evaluate from outside, but the funding is an important go/no-go gate: if you can't persuade someone to fund you as a PhD student, you're not in a great position for the post-PhD job crunch, and the struggle of trying to fund your studies in the meantime makes a difficult situation worse. You're right, though - having a fall back is very useful. I had eight years of outside work before starting mine, which meant that my "in case of disaster" plan was simply to go back to my old career (albeit with lost time and earning potential).

bellerose 8y ago

I wouldn't go after a PhD unless being born into a rich family (with a potential fall back). Otherwise its a ticket to an early grave and or lost earning potential. I've encountered a few colleagues who are beyond gifted in what makes them survive the trial. I had a roommate finishing his masters and going for the PhD afterwards. Guy was making bank by prostituting himself to women every few nights. Slept till noon before going to work on his research. I cannot imagine how hard it must be if someone is pursuing the degree without any wealth helping him/her out. I doubt scholarships would be much if any relief. I definitely can see persons ending up in psych wards or taking their life if it becomes too much.

jopsloj 8y ago
Well that escalated quickly ..
deleted 8y ago
[deleted]
pmyteh 8y ago
It depends a lot on the circumstances of the individual and their lab/supervisor. If the environment is supportive and a sufficient stipend is provided, then it's achievable without rich parents. The environment is very difficult to evaluate from outside, but the funding is an important go/no-go gate: if you can't persuade someone to fund you as a PhD student, you're not in a great position for the post-PhD job crunch, and the struggle of trying to fund your studies in the meantime makes a difficult situation worse. You're right, though - having a fall back is very useful. I had eight years of outside work before starting mine, which meant that my "in case of disaster" plan was simply to go back to my old career (albeit with lost time and earning potential).