#academia vs industry

Have recent layoffs changed your mind about pursuing a PhD?

Does a PhD in biotech actually make you worse at spotting real-world applications—or just better at gatekeeping?

Does an academic PhD hold any real-world value outside of teaching, or is it just an expensive badge of ego?

Is basic science too slow and cautious, or is biotech killing curiosity for quick cash?

Is moving into synthetic biology from a pure science background worth it?