> What are fields where a few big winners outperform everyone else? Here are some obvious ones: sports, politics, art, music, acting, directing, writing, math,

> What are fields where a few big winners outperform everyone else? Here are some obvious ones: sports, politics, art, music, acting, directing, writing, math, science, starting companies, and investing. What’s really interesting is that out of that entire list, only math and science are publicly funded at a level such that a person can get 5 to 7 years of guaranteed job security and funding(ie a PhD), giving you plenty of shots on goal. From this point of view the science/math path seems obvious. Even if you don’t find gold during your PhD, you still get a PhD and have access to a host of industry, startup, or postdoc positions. The failure path for writers, painters, or jazz musicians is more risky in my opinion.