I'm 100% with you on the nebulous value of AI, however given the "theme" of HN I think the bias is here towards such an assumption.
I am not dismissing the value of dance or culture or social science or even event management (or farming or any of the dozens and dozens of things people can get Ph.D's in).
And I note that in my post above.
I am seriously not being sarcastic by saying it's worthwhile. Probably to her. Maybe her department. Maybe even to break dancing (well, maybe not break dancing).
But the presumption that someone getting a Ph.D has somehow "uplifted us all" as a default seems highly improbable to me.
It no doubt uplifts a number of the degree holders, if statistics bear out.
But that's like saying "If Elon Musk becomes rich, we all become rich" and I don't think that's true. Not even in some "trickle down" economics kinda way.
If Elon gets a Ph.D we have all to assume some intrinsic benefit to humanity?
I am not dismissing the value of dance or culture or social science or even event management (or farming or any of the dozens and dozens of things people can get Ph.D's in).
And I note that in my post above.
I am seriously not being sarcastic by saying it's worthwhile. Probably to her. Maybe her department. Maybe even to break dancing (well, maybe not break dancing).
But the presumption that someone getting a Ph.D has somehow "uplifted us all" as a default seems highly improbable to me.
It no doubt uplifts a number of the degree holders, if statistics bear out.
But that's like saying "If Elon Musk becomes rich, we all become rich" and I don't think that's true. Not even in some "trickle down" economics kinda way.
If Elon gets a Ph.D we have all to assume some intrinsic benefit to humanity?
Uhm, I don't think so.