Economist pushes back: we train PhDs as a social good, training costs aren't an accounting fiction
Afinetheorem · x · 2026-11-11
Afinetheorem argues that PhD training exists as a social good for students and society — without that rationale, universities would never take on students given the high costs of small classes, advising, and stipends. He criticizes claims that training costs are an "accounting fiction," and notes the thread drew waves of hostile replies from anonymous accounts.
Related event: Economist Defends PhD Training as Public Good, Faces Anonymous Backlash(2 posts)→
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