What is the author's opinion on the people who remain in academia throughout their lives?
A great many people are afraid of the "real world" and stay in academia throughout their lives, wherein they "protect" their tender egos with a veil of superiority.  Then they infect young people with their cowardice and so the disease thrives.  Universities are arguably the most important institutions in our society; it is a pity for posterity that they are peopled by so many cowards.