8-bit style text game simulates trying to get a PhD

[beschizza]

Originally published at: 8-bit style text game simulates trying to get a PhD | Boing Boing

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[Mindysan33]

@beschizza

What if getting a PhD… isn’t much fun?

You mean I didn’t have fun in grad schoool? Working long hours, researching, writing, and teaching for very little pay and even less respect!!!

[Scientist]

@beschizza

What if getting a PhD… isn’t much fun?

A grad student in my lab sent me this a couple days ago. Does the game include not having time to check out a game that reminds you how maddening getting a PhD is? How about the part where it only gets more frustrating after graduation if you stay in academia?

[Mindysan33]

@Scientist

How about the part where it only gets more frustrating after graduation if you stay in academia?

[Surprise_Puma]

[anon82757353]

I don’t exactly regret mine (and I have a permanent post as an academic, so am a winner of the futures lottery) but I did instinctively click to “reject the offer” of a PhD place on the first screen. Which is probably telling.

[theophrastus]

From one (ok my) point of view the key to surviving a phd program(me) was wearing down the committee. Eventually they get tired of telling you what else they think you need to do to qualify (“publish one more paper”); but if you wear out first then apparently you aren’t ready for the petty politics of postdoc’ery [insane smile emoji]. (6.3 years… -sigh-)

[Punchcard]

Academia is a pie eating contest where the reward for success is more pie.

Also, that game is seriously triggering.

[Mindysan33]

[doctord]

I finished my PhD on the second try (in the game). I think it’s probably a pretty realistic simulation though (I got my real PhD on the first try, but it did take 6 years and there were definitely periods of significant discouragement and reflection on my life choices).