And then you move in with your subject, get married and eventually have children with it. Fast forward about 20 years and the children have moved out and you’re left alone with your subject, but things aren’t what they used to be anymore. In spite of that you stick with your subject because you’re too old to change now. Even further down the line you’re just left with feelings of what could’ve been...

Moving in and marriage = doctoral program and Phd Children = the little pitter-patter of your own TAs Left alone with your subject = you are now a department head

Your analogy is pretty funny, but it’s not quite accurate. I can dip into as many other subjects as I like with my main subject getting all pissy and demanding half of my shit. I can also arrange threesomes where I get my main subject with new ones and see what happens.

That just means your main subject is in the *liberal* arts

No, I’m in the *hard* sciences — a *discipline* that requires a lot of *experimentation* ;) ;) ;)

That’s how America is going to become great again! If we reserve opportunity for the elite only, there’s no chance that dirty underclass people can break into their ranks. Is this the America you want to live in?

And how do you expect OP to find the time and money to do that on top of his studies, workshop and job? Giving up sleep?

One of my fellow TAs drives home every weekend (over 100 miles) to work as a delivery driver for a family member's pizzeria. She said she probably wouldn't make ends meet otherwise.