Mutatis mutandis...
... that describes my PhD thesis. Beyond repolishing it to publish as a completely pointless monograph, I've not touched a thing I tried to do in it since submitting.

It was a means to get me the degree - nothing more. Nearly four years, several thousand pounds in fees, 80k words - plus several comparable earlier-but-junked drafts... and I've STILL never been able to use "Dr" successfully to get an airline upgrade.


Yes, I know that, strictly speaking, a PhD doesn't entitle you to call yourself "Dr" in a non-academic setting. Screw it. I don't care.
( Enzyme is powered by sunlight, Thu 24 Jun 2010, 17:26, 3 replies)

yes it does
I'm Dr now in all settings. bedroom included.
( ascorbate, Thu 24 Jun 2010, 18:01, closed)

Yes it does.
It's being an MD that doesn't allow you to call yourself a doctor in none work settings, as it's an honorary title.

I've been upgrdaded once in 12 years for that. Bah.
( the mighty badger Aphrodite, on a bar stool, by your side, Fri 25 Jun 2010, 10:10, closed)

Other way around.
It's honorary titles that carry outside - things like (mnedical) Dr, knighthoods, and so on.

The stuff for which you work doesn't. But, like I said, I'm past caring now...
( Enzyme is powered by sunlight, Fri 25 Jun 2010, 14:11, closed)

Bollocks to your last point
I have 'Dr' on my credit cards and chequebook and lots of other places too, and I haven't worked in an academic setting since I got my doctorate. I always get better treatment.

Haven't yet tried it on an airline, admittedly, but the fawning that people produce when they realise you're a bit 'special' (not in that sense) is worth it.

As you say, screw it. I worked hard for that PhD. Actually, I mostly fucked around playing croquet and Civilization, but I must have put in a good... oh, two hours a day for six months and that was enough. But mine was in an arts subject, so you could pretty much just write your name and still get a doctorate.
( Sonic the Hedgetrimmer doesn't care what you think, Wed 30 Jun 2010, 9:51, closed)