Conversation overheard

Two men sitting just behind me are having a conversation which, for the most part, blurs past me without sticking to my ears. One fragment, however, emerges clearly:

“...and I say no: I can stop any time I like, I do it because I want to but I could quit any time...”

It's the stereotypical, hackneyed assertion of self deceiving addicts everywhere. Drugs, smoking, alcohol, gambling: I can quit any time I like.

But he continues:

“OK, I've got this Master's. And OK, maybe I'll do a PhD. But it's my own choice; if I want to stop, I will.”

Academic study as dependency ... well, on consideration, perhaps that's not so very far from the truth.