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Comment by carrolldunham | Hacker News Reader

A PhD is research training. Is he doing to do research now, or is this just, like everyone seems to be treating it - a big trophy? Does anyone ever stop to question their credentialist mindset? I heard a character in a video game say indignantly "Excuse me, I have a PhD", and I thought, well, that's not realistic dialog because a PhDs is something you have done, not something that you 'have'. But then people here are treating it like attainment of literally a 'qualification' is an end goal in itself.

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The title is more accurately described as “Former Brown Professor of Medicine Returns to Brown to earn his Third Doctorate“

He had an MD, received a PhD from MIT, then went on to have a career as a researcher at Brown before taking up physics undergrad classes, and then continuing on to grad school.

He is quoted in the article as saying he will continue to work on physics research.

I was commenting on the responses though, of "I'm so inspired". People are treating it as if the person has pulled off deathbed salvation, thankfully earning access to the eternal status of "PhD haver" in time.

Sorry, I missed that. Your response came across as one made in response to the title of the article as opposed to the other comments here.

It took me a really long time to finish my bachelor’s degree. I always had a sort of romantic notion that going through it and really studying hard would help me to become a better thinker. I’m not really satisfied with my progress, so I definitely understand where those who want to pursue more formal education are coming from.

> Steiner is not prepared to rest on his laurels. He is currently reworking part of his dissertation for publication and plans to continue his theoretical physics work.

It definitely helps that he has a lifetime of research experience (in another field).

What is PhD research training? Are there any good indicators you might be a good researcher, without yet a full background in the discipline? What what be some of those qualities needed and sought for takin in my a professor. For example, say you just have an undergraduate degree in CS, what might be some ways to show you would be a good candidate without yet having written any publications.

I don't see what's wrong with saying "I have a PhD". It's equivalent to what (I think) you're saying: "I have a few qualifications (pertaining to research)".

Well, it's annoying and usually arrogant. Just like people who put Ph.D. in their LinkedIn or Twitter names. I don't care that you have a Ph.D., and if you flaunt it, I'll think you're dumber than someone with a bachelor's degree.

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