I think the point is that if such conclusions existed, they'd have to come from trained researchers undergoing peer review who exist only in academia. If the academic environment has moral taboos on their mere discussion, then the inconclusive polarization is not necessarily reality- it's a self fulfilling prophecy.

I understand the point of the paper, just not the point of enumerating those points here without any of its context.

The point is to highlight topics that people would be inclined not to research, or not to publish if their conclusions did not support their perception of the majority view.

It would have been more interesting if in addition to capturing the professor’s position they captured the professor’s perception of the majority position, to see if the professor believed they were part of a silent majority or in the minority, but if they did I skimmed past that part.

Yes. But unfortunately the conclusion that many people take home is that if something has been censured it must be true.

It's not how logic works, but it's how human psychology seems to work. Or perhaps that's taboo too? I don't know. IANAP

Yep I also find it off-putting, it seems there had been a thesis to be confirmed.

Whose (and what) thesis, specifically?