I still don’t understand why most philosophers don’t engage with the real world. Countless times I’ve been in face-to-face conversations with them and talk about an idea in connection with the real world and they seem genuinely afraid to interact with the idea. It’s bizarre at times. Individuals differ, and there are a number of reasons why they can’t or won’t do it. But I encourage you to still get your PhD. It’s a huge sacrifice of time, energy, and money, but it’s an experience from which you will grow and will change your life. And philosophy needs people who will hold onto a real world perspective, no matter how much the bureaucracy and the Ol’ Boys’ Club tries to beat it out of students.