Miker, the Ph.D. is not *always* an obstacle for good
thinking and good writing. For example, Ross Macdonald and
Robert Parker got doctoral degrees; I don't think this has
impaired their lucidity, the quality of their writing or
their careers.
The point is that a degree cannot give you a keen eye and a
sharp analytical mind. Those qualities are rare and have
nothing to do with degrees.
Some great writers are fond of teaching (Kurt Vonnegut, James
Crumley, Raymond Carver, William Kittredge, Reynolds Price)
whereas many others are as far from academia as they can
get.
I don't think doctoral programs and reading abstractitis
treatises make pompous asses out of people. The seed has to
be there already.
Regards,
MrT
=====
"The difference between the right word and the almost right
word is the difference between lightning and the lightning
bug." Mark Twain
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