How lovely for you to have a smart wife with a PhD. and a daughter-in-law with one as well. That is very impressive indeed!! You seem very proud of that. Rightfully so. However, on reading your post again I read your observation that these higher degrees "don't seem much of an indicator of intelligence these days" and, furthermore, that they are "probably more a desperation to avoid the outside world for as long as possible...." So, Ben, what is for you please? A vote FOR relatives with Ph.D's or a vote AGAINST relatives with such degrees, keeping in mind you have allied holders of Ph.D's with some rather negative personal attributes.
I await your considered response to this important question with great interest. Your clear thinking and logic is beginning to make a strong impression on me and I cannot help but eagerly look forward to reading your post. You are also very evidently a well informed and thinking individual with an amazing intellect. We are so lucky to have you spending time posting here.
