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One related problem I see is the pipeline for producing working mathematicians seems to have been completely and irreversibly decimated. What’s the point of doi
by oefrha 8d ago
One related problem I see is the pipeline for producing working mathematicians seems to have been completely and irreversibly decimated. What’s the point of doing a long and arduous PhD when all PhD level research problems that used to take months to years can be solved by far less talented people with $100/$1000/$10,000 to spare? How do you even select people into your program (this part is likely hypothetical, classical talent selection probably still works at the moment, but what about in a couple years)?
Disclosure: I did a theoretical physics PhD, but got admitted to quite a few top math programs back when I was applying to math and physics programs simultaneously. If you asked me whether I’d do a PhD today I’d say why bother.
- Alien1Being 7d agoHere most local STEM PhDs try to get into finance. This is largely due to lack of funding for science and poor opportunities for PhDs. Why be a poorly paid postdoc when Jane Street is offering a million USD signup bonus ? PhDs from poorer overseas do try to get related jobs here, mainly to be able to get a permanent resident visa.
- oefrha 7d ago> Why be a poorly paid postdoc when Jane Street is offering a million USD signup bonus? One reason is despising that line of work. Quant firms were pummeling my @prestigious.edu inbox throughout my PhD and I fucking hated those parasites. Well, jokes on me if AI shatters my current career. Btw a former classmate Caroline Ellison who went to Jane Street eventually landed in prison, lol.
- irishcoffee 7d agoWhy put @prestigious.edu and name a famous person? Why not just say you went to Stanford? Lots and lots of people have gone to Stanford.
- oefrha 7d agoprestigious.edu isn’t Stanford; went to a different school for PhD. And the prison bit is just something funny about Jane Street (that sort of vindicates my view of these people) that I edited in later, didn’t think much about it.