> Note many/most of these excess PhDs are not “researchers” in the pure sciences. People studying mediaeval literature can also be researchers. > Such invente

> Note many/most of these excess PhDs are not “researchers” in the pure sciences. People studying mediaeval literature can also be researchers. > Such invented pursuits have minimal societal benefit. I'm sure this is true of some fields, but even fields which produce obvious societal benefits, and even fields which actually do produce PhD candidates who go on to have well-paying jobs in industry often have difficulty growing their departments.