I agree with everything you say - except for the part where you cite the Economist for having a stupid list of hot jobs : That's not their style at all. You're

I agree with everything you say - except for the part where you cite the Economist for having a stupid list of hot jobs : That's not their style at all. You're thinking Business Week or Forbes, etc. The Economist is (despite having offended lots of people here with its overview of the current start-up scene last week) much more about utility maximization than about money... Actually, why not pick up the winter special issue? - I'm guessing you'll find it much more thought-provoking than you currently imagine. [ Trust me - I did a PhD for love, not money. But it's working out pretty well, AFAICT ]