OP here - agreed. I was rarely posting anyways. I'm personally replacing it with reading even more than A/SIDE. There are just some times I want to share something with friends and family and not fumble with iMessage.
You're right - it will serve more as a learning tool. The production of knowledge by the individual (currently just me!) is not a project that will happen until at least year 4, so I'm basically punting that and assuming I'll figure out the best approach by then. I am absolutely open to the realization that is should not be called a PhD, but I will say that I do have some topics in mind that I want to pursue that I think are novel. I suspect I'll bring on some form of non-AI by then if I continue down this path. Great feedback thank you.