I know a guy who has been very brilliant in field work, he made his catch as a surveyor did all donkey works and became filthy rich. He started GIS application in revenue management for municipalities, as much as they were good the politics has been the biggest hindrance. He ventured to politics to see whether he can change anything but still its becoming even worse especially if you are on the wrong side of the gava. Currently he is pursuing a phd in use of GIS for municipal and revenue management in the third world. His is a quest to know how best things can be done rather than getting a phd just to have it. In the international circles this has elicited serious debates and the fathers of GIS (Mostly at ESRI) i understand they are trying to follow on what the guy is doing so that they can understand better how to deal with the issue especially in third world where political interference is too much. For those who pursue their dreams in such a manner i dont doubt that they will leave a lasting solution to our well being