Until this May, I used to be a graduate student. At that time I used to know a lecturer (for those not in academia...a lecturer is a full time university teacher WITHOUT a PhD and as such, occasionally subject to condescension from "real" academics with PhDs) with whom I had a love hate relationship. This May, when I finished my PhD, I went to see her. At one point I remarked:
Me: Finally, no longer a worthless grad student.
She: Yes...right.
Me:(with a smile) But why do you think PhD students are worthless?
She: Well, I never said so... you said that... I just said yes.
Me: Thats strange. Because, a few months ago, when I had told you how it was wrong that PhD students who had given up so much opportunity cost to be in grad school were denied even living wages, you didn't agree with me. In fact, you said "you are PRIVILEGED to be even making 15K" at that time. You could have just agreed with me then, like now.
She: Yes and what I said was right.
Me: So you do mean that PhD students are worthless? Because someone who is too low to deserve even 15K properly must be quite worthless.
She: What big deal is the PhD worth either?
Me: Well, its abt four years beyond masters. That means it is at least as much better than a Masters as a college degree is better than a high school diploma.
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