thevillagecharlatan

I got an email today. I am being nominated for a university fellowship at one of my chosen PhD programs. It is the least selective program and school in the lot, though, so the fellowship will be good for leverage and not much else. This prompts a question to you, though, my readers: Would you attend a PhD program staffed by younger (albeit interesting) scholars in your field if they paid you $20,000 over tuition to do that? Remember, this frees you of any teaching obligations that would tax your energy or hamper your studies in any way. You would be given a check for $1666 each month to pay for books, rent, food, liquor and whores, no questions asked. Imagine that the $1666 a month would represent a significant salary hike compared to what you’re making right now as an MA student. You would probably be able to get a nice studio apartment in Pilsner, go to Trader Joe’s on Sundays for white chocolate asparagus spears. You know, readers—live the Good Life. How much is the Good Life worth to you? Is it worth a negative-ten wind chill in winter? Is it worth the risk of academic anonymity after graduation? Help me.

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