Dissertation

What is a dissertation? I think it is a formal proof of contribution to the knowledge of human society. Certainly the Wright Brothers made a concrete contribution with the aircraft, but they did not get a Ph.D. for it. But they were followed by thousands of aeronautical students who received a Ph.D. for examining the dynamics of flight and publishing a document on it. Those documents promoted the science of flight and may be embedded in the Concord, F-16, and Boeing 777. But no one sees those contributions. We see Orville Wright, John Glen, Howard Hughes, and Ramos. These are the hands on people, no the “heads on” people.

Dissertation … valuable? I think it is more an opportunity for the student to test his mental metal. He can dig deeply into a subject and really master something. This may be more depth and mastery than he or she will ever accomplish in hisher life again. Perhaps professors or research lab scientists may get to repeat the experience more than once, but most of us are headed for a once in a lifetime experience. I think we should pick something that is rewarding and personally valuable, something we can have pride in for decades. Choosing a topic that will pass is certainly practical, but is it what doctoral study is all about? Perhaps there is too much emphasis on being accepted, which may be an expression of the university protecting its own reputation and the status quo. No one wants to cheapen the process or degree, but perhaps acceptance by one’s peers is not the only way to contribute. Hmmm … that is true, but it might just point the student to another avenue of contribution. Perhaps he should go and invent the next graviton propulsion system rather than proving the existence of gravitons in his dissertation.

I am not afraid of this process. I am more afraid of the biases of the professors who will be involved. We all see the world uniquely, but they have the power in the relationship and I have the position of being molded into a proper doctor.

Many of us are gong through this so we can be Dr. X. That has value in society and in our own minds (which are a reflection of societal values). But, the knowledge we acquire is another kind of value. Option 1: Dr. Hamm may become an assistant to the secretary of defense and never need his doctoral knowledge. Option 2: Dr. Hamm may work for the office of management and budget and create an entirely new organizational structure for government professionals. That is all about the doctoral knowledge.

I think the greatest part is that we do not stop learning and we do not limit ourselves. Keep moving, the specter of death is at your heals. When you lay down to sleep, he draws that much closer.