Is it worth doing a PhD?

Wrote to The Economist just now regarding their feature in this week's issue...

Dear Editor,

I read this article just now ('The disposable academic - Why doing a PhD is often a waste of time', December 18th 2010 issue), the day I am to complete and sign off my thesis (post-viva version; 4+ years in the making)... and I have to say I cannot but concur. Good article. Thank you. But I have to say: in regards to doing a PhD, I have no regrets. It has taught me a most precious life-skill... endurance :)

Regards,
Adil Hussain

ps. This letter is not for print.

... The article is an absolute must-read for anyone considering doing a PhD or for anyone having done a PhD.

Letter: I Was Bin Laden's Bodyguard

Just wrote to Channel4 thanking them for airing this documentary ('I Was Bin Laden's Bodyguard'), as follows...

Just wanted to say a quick thank you for airing this. I found it to be very informative and was pleasantly surprised by how free it was of spin/commentary/etc. A rare delightful piece of neutral, informative journalistic reporting (documentary making). Many thanks.

... Touching documentary. Well made.

Letter: The War You Don't See

Letter (email) I wrote to John Pilger, thanking him for putting together this documentary piece ('The War You Don't See', 2010)...

Dear John,

Big big thank you for putting together this documentary. I would like to consider myself a "media sceptic" but even then I was surprised how much misinformation I take in without realising!

Regards,
Adil Hussain

... and email I wrote to ITV thanking them for airing it...

Dear ITV,

Just writing in quickly to say thank you for airing 'The War You Don't See' by John Pilger last week. Found it to be very very informative and eye-opening, and to be honest was surprised to find it on ITV! Thank you.

Regards,
Adil Hussain

... Highly recommended viewing if you haven't seen it already.

Letter to The Economist - Boxing in Nigeria

Just sent a letter to The Economist as follows...

Dear Economist,

Reading the piece entitled "Boxing in Nigeria - A rumble in the Sahel" (Middle East and Africa section, November 20th 2010 issue) I couldn't understand why the author felt it necessary to slip in that Nigeria's north is mostly Muslim and also that participating youths may be wearing verses from the Koran (Qur'an) in leather pouches around their necks? I would like to think that it was because this sport is at odds with Islamic teachings (striking to the face etc) but instead it seems to subtly give a message slightly different (that perhaps participants are inspired to partake in this activity because of their religion and not inspite of it).

Regards,
Adil Hussain

... I think I might be overdoing it with these constant letters to The Economist!