I actually looked at this from a different perspective: the workplace. I was only in a PhD program for one year (left to work on Wall Street) but have 7 years in the industry.
A is the disengaged MacLeod Loser, slightly motivated by social acceptability but averse to hard work and risk.
B is the slimy and superficially impressive but unoriginal executive (MacLeod Sociopath) alpha male.
C is the true Technocrat, the problem-solver who's an ideal student but generally "difficult to manage" in the workplace and usually gets fired a couple times before finding the right niche.
D is the terminal middle manager (MacLeod Clueless) whose self-deception prevents him from accepting the fact that he's actually checked-out (in practice, if not in mindset).
A is the disengaged MacLeod Loser, slightly motivated by social acceptability but averse to hard work and risk.
B is the slimy and superficially impressive but unoriginal executive (MacLeod Sociopath) alpha male.
C is the true Technocrat, the problem-solver who's an ideal student but generally "difficult to manage" in the workplace and usually gets fired a couple times before finding the right niche.
D is the terminal middle manager (MacLeod Clueless) whose self-deception prevents him from accepting the fact that he's actually checked-out (in practice, if not in mindset).