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Well yeah, but if you're on the fence about a big life decision, you should go out and research it, and not rely on hacker news to spoon-feed you the appropriat

by kgo 16y ago

Well yeah, but if you're on the fence about a big life decision, you should go out and research it, and not rely on hacker news to spoon-feed you the appropriate info. I'd hate to to think that someone considering a PhD program read yesterday's 'not worth it' article, but didn't get online over the weekend, missing the 'yes it is' article, and made his decision accordingly. I think we all agree that would be absurd, possibly even insane. That's why I always feel like these articles and their upvotes are more about hn'ers trying to justify or rationalize their choices, than trying to help someone else out.

Loic 16y ago
I am sorry if you interpreted my post this way. The thing is that this year has seen many many articles in big journals about the "education bubble" etc. Basically, a lot of higher education bashing. And pg, with YCombinator is also kind of going that way with the mantra to get new entrepreneurs as young as possible. If you start a business being 18, you will never have the opportunity to discover then learn enough in some really interesting fields of engineering. This is what longer education provides. I just wanted people not to forget about the good sides of a longer education. Nothing more.
- kgo 16y ago
  I'm actually sorry. Apologies. I know the core of your message was "you can get a PhD, and things will work out okay." I might be being intentionally provocative up above, because I too am sick of the many articles about education sucking, and comments that equate happiness in life with the Golden Rule. (The guy who has the most gold wins.) Maybe I'm just mad that it's gotten to the point that people feel they need to post rebuttals to these silly articles.
siddhant 16y ago
Absolutely. But a little perspective from someone who's already done that is always helpful.
YuriNiyazov 16y ago
Hacker News is a big part of that research on big life decisions. This site attracts a certain demographic, and it's very worthwhile to know what opinions and experiences people of your demographic have.
- rick_2047 16y ago
  Actually no, HN is not a good research for big life decisions if you want to keep your mind open. The demographic here is too narrow. 90% startup people, so everybody here basically hates higher education. If you go by HN nobody will have a PhD in poetry or something.

by kgo 16y ago

Loic 16y ago

I am sorry if you interpreted my post this way. The thing is that this year has seen many many articles in big journals about the "education bubble" etc. Basically, a lot of higher education bashing. And pg, with YCombinator is also kind of going that way with the mantra to get new entrepreneurs as young as possible. If you start a business being 18, you will never have the opportunity to discover then learn enough in some really interesting fields of engineering. This is what longer education provides. I just wanted people not to forget about the good sides of a longer education. Nothing more.

kgo 16y ago
I'm actually sorry. Apologies. I know the core of your message was "you can get a PhD, and things will work out okay." I might be being intentionally provocative up above, because I too am sick of the many articles about education sucking, and comments that equate happiness in life with the Golden Rule. (The guy who has the most gold wins.) Maybe I'm just mad that it's gotten to the point that people feel they need to post rebuttals to these silly articles.

siddhant 16y ago

Absolutely. But a little perspective from someone who's already done that is always helpful.

YuriNiyazov 16y ago

Hacker News is a big part of that research on big life decisions. This site attracts a certain demographic, and it's very worthwhile to know what opinions and experiences people of your demographic have.

rick_2047 16y ago
Actually no, HN is not a good research for big life decisions if you want to keep your mind open. The demographic here is too narrow. 90% startup people, so everybody here basically hates higher education. If you go by HN nobody will have a PhD in poetry or something.