I don't agree. PhDs are misable yes, but this is due to the way PhDs work in isolation, to the fact that many PhDs do it because they need the PhD not because t

I don't agree. PhDs are misable yes, but this is due to the way PhDs work in isolation, to the fact that many PhDs do it because they need the PhD not because they want to do it (and, in some countries, poor working conditions and salaries). Also, surely the author would agree you should become an expert in something that is useful for many people, boring as it is. I mean, that's his whole point.