There is a pool of frustrated Ph.D holders who are unemployed or underemployed currently in the United States. This condition is not healthy for a nation such as ours.
The problem has received media attention as Newsweek, Science and Chemical & Engineering News have each recently published articles on this subject. Some noteworthy analysis on this problem has determined that the restructuring of the economy and society has left us with less demand for Ph.D.s. This problem is structural and not merely cyclical as originally thought.
What is the worst that can happen when a few Ph.Ds who are disgruntled get together? Perhaps the production of a nuclear bomb and transfer of the technology to groups that will pay a premium for it? Or even more likely, a dissemination of misinformation about technology/society interaction related issues such as recycling, smoking, prayer in schools, sex education etc.
I am of the view that humanity is basically benign. There is a massive driving force for the majority to do the right thing. Translation: Do good science for science's sake if you do not get compensated for it. But I would not expect this belief to continue forever. Anyone who has gone through the process of getting a Ph.D. knows what is involved. It is a shame that such a bright and rich nation does not have room for its most persevering, if not the brightest single group, if there ever was one.
On an Ivy League campus such as Dartmouth, filled with bright minds this problem can be constructively debated, discussed and solutions to the problems offered.
My solution to the problem is the opening of more colleges. For a nation such as ours with its size, population and wealth the number of accredited institutions are too few. When was the last time we saw an opening ceremony of a new college on TV ?
