The vast majority of the post-docs and grad students that I know hate the lifestyle, but have irrational hopes for success. They'd never put up with the hours and the low pay, if they could internalize the odds of failure.
Anyway, I wouldn't be so flippant about coal mining: miners get paid about the same as post-docs ($40k, usually in cheap parts of the country; google it) for well-regulated 40-hour weeks.
Anyway, I wouldn't be so flippant about coal mining: miners get paid about the same as post-docs ($40k, usually in cheap parts of the country; google it) for well-regulated 40-hour weeks.