Need PhD?
I get many emails from young intellectuals all over the world about getting a PhD. The gist of the missive usually runs as follows: "I am really interested in doing a PhD. It has been my dream for the longest time imaginable. Attached is my CV. Please take a look at it and give me advice on this." This sort of naked request comes with little guidance, rendering any attempt to provide advice specific to the case a stab in the dark. Trying to do so is like a doctor prescribing apposite medicine for a specific ailment when the patient has only indicated that he/she is feeling unwell. But some broad thoughts are always helpful, and here they are. Are you sure of what you want? Asking for advice on doing a PhD assumes you have concluded that this is what you want to do for a reasonable period of time in your life. Are you being led into this by some fanciful imaginations of gilded academic life? Is there nothing else you could do with your life than this? If the answer is a strong...