The PhD is the highest academic qualification one can obtain. I have always loved experimentation and research. So it came naturally for me that after my first degree, I opted to go for post graduate studies. I am currently enrolled for a PhD in one of the Universities in my locality. My supervisor shows immense support and concern for the affairs of his students. His kind are rare to find these days. He often tells of his own experiences while urging us on, that the road may be tough but with dedication and hard work success is achievable.
He offers a word of caution though to his PhD students that, there is this thing (not his exact words) that goes with a Doctoral degree programme. There is usually a tendency for one to get discouraged or worse still opt out of the programme if one isn't careful and watchful. I have come to realise that he is right. Undertaking a PhD degree is no easy task especially if you want to work on something that is truly unique and don't want to cut corners. Some opt to work on things of very little academic value just to secure jobs or get promotions thus becoming local superstars. The bumps on the road range from financial to psychological challenges because of the stress therein.
If you are very observant the Phd in the title of my article and the PhD I have have talked about thus far are not clearly the same thing even from mere appearances. The latter is the Doctor of Philosophy while the former is what had been interpreted as "pull him down" syndrome. It is to derive pleasure or climb upwards by pulling others down.
It is a common feature in workspace environments where the competition is unhealthy. It can even happen in the family setting where a child tries to gain favour from the parents by painting another child in bad light. It is even more prominent in the political landscape where political aspirants instead of running issue based campaigns resort to smear tactics and black mail to destroy the image or reputation of their perceived political opponents.
Sadly this immoral and uncivilised manner of campaigning is what appears to appeal to a vast majority of the electorate. This is quite unfortunate and is harmful to the society. It results in a situation where supporters of political gladiators are always at logger heads They usually end up constantly being in a war of words with each other. More often than not the supporters become so agitated that the verbal altercations are translated into physical fights sometimes with the use of weapons.
For the society to move forward we have to eliminate the phd syndrome at all levels of interaction be it at the level of the family, workplace or in the general society. As individuals we need to be on our guard so as not to fall prey to this syndrome as it can very easily affect anyone. Before I drop my pen I just recalled another rather humorous interpretation of the phd. It is pikin (child) , husband and degree.
For being patient enough to read through I say
Shukran
Danke
Merci
Gracias
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Спасибо
Very good concept in your in your posted article .