How can that be the case? You apparently have ‘exceptions’ forming most of the population!
More generally, being able to talk to the author after reading the thesis is hugely valuable, because whatever was unclear in the thesis can be cleared up. But talking to the author without reading his work is fairly worthless; you won’t know what questions to ask, unless of course you’re already knowledgeable in the field.
How can that be the case? You apparently have ‘exceptions’ forming most of the population!
More generally, being able to talk to the author after reading the thesis is hugely valuable, because whatever was unclear in the thesis can be cleared up. But talking to the author without reading his work is fairly worthless; you won’t know what questions to ask, unless of course you’re already knowledgeable in the field.