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> Some people never do research again after completing a Ph.D. For such people, the Ph.D. was largely a waste of time.

This statement reflects the writers' large ego, not reality. It's a shame how this point of view is prominent in the scientific community. I've seen similar rude statements from academic scientists who say that working in R&D at a corporation isn't "real science".

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I think the intention was referring to people who do no further research, whether academic or private (e.g. repetitive work with significant exploration involved). The last paragraph of section 2.6 is about doing research work in private companies, no?

I agree with the author that there is little value in doing a PhD if you don't intend to keep doing some form of research afterwards. There are alternative programs or work that would be much more applicable.

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