[sc0rb]

Some of the best software engineers I've ever worked with have PhD's (selection bias).

Just like mine, your experience is not necessarily indicative of the world at large. There's a reason google love hiring PhD's, there's a reason why a well known startup in London (dealing with high performance java tooling) prefer PhD candidate, there's a reason Jane Street is full of PhD's and there's a reason why half the hedge funds in London are full of math and comp sci PhD's

Take your Node and RoR skills home kid.