i got a second call for papers in less than a week today. open source is all the rage in academic circles it seems. which brings me back to the question whether i should pursue a phd. i certainly holds some appeal, but there are downsides too.
upsides

• worldwide recognition
• chart new territory
• help to shape a new paradigm
• job safety (for a while)

downsides

• submission to the academic process
• commitment to an endless quest
• low pay

i guess i know only one thing for sure: i wouldn't want to become a full-time assistant. i would prefer to do my phd externally. also, university of zurich holds less appeal than other places like harvard, MIT or berkeley.
i should do some more thinking on the subject, for sure. like collecting a list of interesting places to do a doctorate.