To be an Elderly-Devouring Young Adult
Considering my current abilities and the current employment environment, I don't believe I can find a decent job or high-quality employment. And I don't believe it will get better in the future. I can't think of any other way to have a decent life than to live off my parents.
Considering the steadiness of my parents’ careers and pensions, I suppose I am economically feasible to live off my parents or lie flat. It is all about the financial factors, which does not means I am entitled to do so.
Compared to lying down, I have opted for the comparably positive option, living off my parents.
Since I have chose not to rely on myself, it is better to give persuasive reasons to my parents. Personally, doing a PhD is a compelling reason.
Avoid Being a Teacher
My parents are teachers and they always entice me to become one.
Admittedly, being a teacher is a decent job, or an occupation with a high ROI, if my ego is not big enough to reckon it as my vocation. Moreover, it’s relatively stable, well-paid, and has two long vacations. I somehow think my parents are right. If the ROI were the only factor to consider, being a teacher would be the top level for my abilities.
Relative ROI Improvement
I love a comment from an episode of the podcast 问题青年 and it’s translated into：
In a world where there is already little to gain from a 'have to' option, the relative loss from an 'I like' option has become smaller.
Many people say that doing a PhD is a process of looking inside yourself; inquiring yourself about what you like; and exploring the world through constant innovation.
I don't think so. Doing a PhD doesn't count as something I enjoy, or rather, I don't actually know what I enjoy. And I've always defaulted to the fact that doing a PhD is not rewarding or meaningful.
I just think that in a day where there is little to gain and little to point in whatever you do, the relative loss that might come from doing the silly option of a PhD becomes smaller instead. It just gives me the sense that I have driven a good bargain.
The Closest Thing to Be an Astronaut
I have read the book Endurance: A Year in Space, A Lifetime of Discovery.
I love one sentence in the book and the sentence roughly means:
In order to go from being an astronaut candidate to a real astronaut, from what I have observed, it is an education similar to pursuing a Ph.D.
I feel that this statement could also be reversed to say, "In order to get a PhD degree, from what I've observed, it's an education similar to in order to go from being an astronaut candidate to being a real astronaut. “
Fulfilling the childish dream of "I want to be an astronaut when I grow up" is no longer possible. After reading this book, I realize that the most immersive way to experience the work of an astronaut is not to ride a roller coaster, but to pursue a PhD. With this in mind, doing a PhD becomes romantic, artistic, and poetic. Additionally, it may perhaps fulfill another childish dream "I want to be a scientist when I grow up".
Problem Conversion
As you can see, the title of this blog is “Why Do a PhD” and the link is “why-do-a-phd” rather than “Why Study a PhD” and “why-study-a-phd”. Because for me, a PhD is actually a job. The choice between doing a PhD and working in a company is the same as choosing a different company when looking for a job.
With this self-deception, doing a PhD seems much less foolish.
So in case I successfully apply for a PhD, please don’t say I’m studying for a PhD, I’m doing a PhD.
Zhuangbility (Pretension)
During my short internship experience, I was called Worker He. Actually, I considerably liked this appellation. As it was very down-to-earth.
But if I graduate with a PhD degree, everyone will be able to call me Dr. He. How cool is that! It will fully satisfy my vanity.
Probability of Being a Good Boss
I'm sure all Masters or PhDs have said dirty words behind their bosses during the student phase. I've also been through the student phase. Hence, I know what I imagine a good boss to be, and what people in online communities generally assume a good boss to be.
I sometimes ask myself, according to my criteria, whether I could be a good boss in the future when I have the chance.
I think this is a good question and I could gain financial support from my parents to give it a try.
Warning
If you find me expressing that I love to learn; that I am eager to learn new things; that I want to try more cutting-edge methods; that I want to gain higher-level experience...... please remember that maybe I am lying. Including but not limited to this blog.
