Tim wrote:

But people should do what really drives them. Anyone going into law this late in the boom just to make money is probably going to be in for a rude awakening. Ditto for anyone going into it in order to do pro bono work on Cypherpunks issues.

Great points. If you're looking to make a difference re: cypherpunk and pro- libertarian issues and have a scientific and practical streak, why not get an advanced degree in policy analysis instead? You get a rock-solid grounding in a number of critical disciplines, and put yourself in a position to seriously affect policy on the broadest possible stage. Not for the ideological "purists" out there, but personally I don't see anything at all wrong with wringing every ounce of information you can get from the real pros, whether they share your values or not. If there were a number of people committed to advancing libertarian issues who took this approach, I think it would be a great thing. Harvard is supposed to have the best program, but here's a little something I found online from the University of British Columbia which explains what it's all about. This one seems a little business-heavy, but other analysis programs have a lot more room to focus on technology policy. At least this gets you in the ballpark: Policy Analysis and Strategy Overview This PhD specialization covers both business strategy and public policy analysis. It draws strongly on underlying foundations in economics and in applied statistics. Topics in which faculty members have expertise include entrepreneurship and venture capital finance, international investment, the management of research and development, environmental management and policy, experimental tests of game theory, competitive strategy and competition policy, public enterprise and regulation, and international trade policy. Undergraduate or masters-level training in economics and/or quantitative disciplines such as mathematics, statistics or engineering would be a typical background for qualified students. Students with undergraduate backgrounds in commerce or business who have focused on the more quantitative areas would also be well qualified for the program. Once students are admitted they have extensive interaction with faculty members and attend a regular workshop run by the Policy Analysis Division, in addition to normal course work. The first major supervised research project is undertaken in the student's first summer. Except for those funded from outside sources, at least three years of funding is guaranteed to all admitted students. Program of Study There is considerable flexibility in the programs of individual students. All students are required to take a faculty-wide course in research methodology and a faculty wide course in teaching methods. Other required courses include: Economics 500 Microeconomic Theory Economics 565 Market Structure Commerce 581 or equivalent Statistical Methods Commerce 691 Advanced Topics in Policy Analysis The student will take at least four other courses to form two "fields" (two courses per field) and will normally take one or more additional courses in applied statistics or research methods. These courses will be chosen in consultation with the Graduate Advisor and may be in the Commerce Faculty or in other areas of study. Students normally complete their course work in two years and write comprehensive exams at the end of the second year. However, students who have taken prior graduate work may be able to complete course work requirements more quickly. Sample Program Sequence Year - 1 Fall COMM 693 (Research Methodology), COMM 581 (Statistical Methods), Econ 500 (Microeconomic Theory), Elective or Field Course Year - 1 Winter Econ 565, statistics course, 2 field courses Year - 1 Summer Summer research paper Year - 2 Fall EPSE 506 (Teaching), COMM 691 (Topics in Policy Analysis), statistics course, field course Year - 2 Winter Field courses, electives Year - 2 Summer Comprehensive exams Year - 3 Preparation and presentation of thesis proposal Year - 4 Preparation and defense of thesis