Part 2/9:
There is a widespread assertion that universities have become breeding grounds for ideological conformity rather than genuine intellectual diversity. The speaker suggests that academia is in dire need of a "hot poker"—a metaphor for a necessary wake-up call—to shake off longstanding rot. While criticizing some methods employed to address these issues, the core concern remains: universities have shifted away from fostering open debate, especially concerning conservative viewpoints, which are now often considered verboten or forbidden.