[nextlevelchess]

Sure, the oppurtunity cost is big. And I'm not saying it is the best way to put out value in the world.

Two PhDs sounds like a lot. After all, most GMs get the title before their twenties. But such comparisons are very hard anyway. But it is also possible to get the title while pursuing another career path, you don't have to focus 100% on chess.

As you say, the wasted life part is way too harsh and based on only some madly crazy examples in chess history.