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"If it is just a hobby" What, from the post you are replying to, leads you to this? If it was not an intentional misrepresentation, I am curious about the line

• abhinav22 6y ago
  The post above it (copied below). It’s a very valid counterpoint imo :-) Rumour has it doing a PhD might actually be a rewarding experience in its own right, and not derive its value solely from the possibility of remaining in academia.
  • pmyteh 6y ago
    It is quite possible to do research as a hobby. It is very difficult to do proper research training as a hobby, and essentially impossible to do a research apprenticeship (which is what a PhD is) outside of an environment where you are being supervised by other PhDs. If you have a spouse or close friend who's prepared to supervise you, fine - but otherwise it's likely to be at a university or research lab. Coupled to that, PhD slots are generally funded, so university at PhD level is normally less 'expensive' and more 'opportunity costs'.