The whole question is whether the PhD in question is laughable or not. If you assume that it isn't, as you do, then we've perhaps violated the hating rules. Otherwise, not.
True, but I don't have proof that it is not a laughable PhD and it's fairly clear to me that negative conjecture isn't particularly all that powerful of a tool. It's actually extremely petty and small minded. It devalues criticism to resort to speculation. At the very least, it's an "ok" achievement for a human being and I stand by that. It's not my field of interest - that's for sure - but I'll tip my hat at sticking with it. It isn't really about the relative merit of the achievement as it is no more "impressive" for a savant to coast through theoretical physics phd than it is for a disabled kid to get through a obstacle course. Relatively speaking, it's an ok achievement, given the intellectual palettes available.
People do not get it. Then again, those who are impressed by PhD title probably should be because they are on the lower end of the scale anyway
Or they believe that the individual who criticises other people's "achievements" is often doing so with the agenda of avoiding the extremely likely feeling that they themselves have accomplished little in their life, in comparison
What it all boils down to is this, the moment the hater gives himself up as jealous or perhaps too gleeful in his search for negativity - to the point where he doesn't bother waiting for the truth to arise, that hater's opinion means nothing. It's just noise.
I do not suggest anyone in particular fits this mould - only that inadequacy is a pretty common fuel in the application of criticism. Particularly unsolicited criticism. Those who are intelligent should recognise this and fuel their own exploits, rather than attempt to strike at the indirect source of the discomfort.
I live in Australia - and if there is a worse country for this, I'd be surprised. In this country the rule is simple - if you're average, you're one of us, but don't you fucking dare rise above that or you're a cnut and you're fair game
Like I say, not specifically suggesting anybody is necessarily of this mindset.