GMU Econ Ph.D. Class of 2015?
TGGP, Michael Vassar, Carl Shulman, Eliezer Yudkowsky: would you all be interested in doing an Econ Ph.D. with me at GMU with Robin Hanson as our thesis advisor? Starting around Fall 2011 (should give us all enough time to get our affairs in order and get prepared). I suspect we'd all get admitted, and that we could all use the education that would come with an econ Ph.D. Don't know about the prestige that comes with a GMU econ Ph.D. (I imagine it's less than Harvard, MIT, etc.) but I think it would be a lot of fun. We'd get an academic credential basically for doing more rigorously what we're all doing on these blogs and these comment threads already.
If Robin was at a more prestigious university, and particularly if he was an applied math professor, I'd probably have no doubts about doing this solo. But what would make it interesting is if I had classmates like the 4 of you all, instead of the less interesting, less creative, and less ambitious thinkers that I imagine typify most econ grad students at GMU (or anywhere). If I'm wrong, where are their incredibly interesting blogs and blog comments?
GMU is not a very prestigious university, and although its law and economics faculties have been ascending relatively rapidly they remain far from the elite programs.
I can't speak for TGGP, but given the limited benefits and substantial costs (leaving jobs, moving to D.C., etc) this doesn't seem like a good idea for any of the other people mentioned.
Posted by: Carl Shulman | July 22, 2008 at 07:24 PM
Carl, good points. Do you plan to get a Ph.D. in anything?
Posted by: Hopefully Anonymous | July 22, 2008 at 07:59 PM
Dear Hopefully, I discussed the Ph.D. possibilities at GMU with Tyler, Alex, and Robin years ago and ultimately decided to pass on it. I don't see much value in a Ph.D. given my career path and the fact that my company is doing well. Eliezer and Carl also seem to be doing well, so I doubt they will be interested. Eliezer can make $10K/day consulting and Carl could easily pursue a PhD at Harvard if they wished, while by 2011 I expect to be on my second and much more promising company.
[Edited to preserve my anonymity.]
Posted by: michael vassar | July 22, 2008 at 08:21 PM
10k a day. Why did I ever choose Ph.D at GMU :)
I recommend against getting any college certifications if you are a United States citizen, unless it is Law or applied science. People who only listen to those with graduate degrees are too gullible anyway, and can be convinced of anyone to begin with. If you seek the knowledge, libraries and blogs are free.
Academia is for the most part an extension of left-wing bar talk with added undeserved credibility.
For some people there are plenty of reasons to get into academia (for a while), but for the sake of my anonymity I will keep those to myself.
Posted by: certainly anonymous | July 23, 2008 at 12:21 PM
"10k a day. Why did I ever choose Ph.D at GMU :)"
Yeah, that raised my eyebrows too. Michael is that based on demonstrated market demand, or was it a number that just popped into your head?
Posted by: Hopefully Anonymous | July 23, 2008 at 09:15 PM
It seems a big step with little payoff. If what we're doing now is so similar and has such a low cost, why bother? I assume that my place of residence is largely going to be determined by work. Furthermore, if I ever do get an advanced degree it is most likely going to be in Computer Science. Finally, wouldn't that make it harder to remain anonymous?
Posted by: TGGP | July 24, 2008 at 06:43 PM
No, that's what Eliezer makes on the rare occasions when he does paid lectures.
Posted by: michael vassar | July 26, 2008 at 09:21 PM
How many paid lectures for $10K has he done? Who has paid him?
Posted by: Hopefully Anonymous | July 26, 2008 at 09:34 PM