[poppycock]

> He was a free market economist [...] Naturally, the rest of the academic staff were leftists. One day, they decided to invite him to a debate on the merits of free markets vs socialism.

While academics tend to lean left but that in itself does not imply they are socialists.

> But the important thing is the whole thing was very friendly and collegial, and they congratulated him on his performance. > A far cry from today.

Such intellectual discourse has been going on in academia for millennia and still does today. It's not surprising that an academic would congratulate their opposition for a well-reasoned debate regardless of ideologies.

[WalterBright]

> While academics tend to lean left but that in itself does not imply they are socialists.

They set up the debate and the topic and took the socialist side. My father was the lone academic on the free market side.

> It's not surprising that an academic would congratulate their opposition for a well-reasoned debate regardless of ideologies.

It shouldn't be surprising. But these days, it appears to be surprising.