Really well put. I do think that speaking against conformity always does matter. People that demand conformity are very often insecure. But complying only reinforces that problem. Showing that a constructive conduct is still possible even with disagreement and that it doesn't influence their acceptance is the way to go, even if they would not grant the same cutesy.

So even if the author thinks that it did not have an effect, I believe some people still speaking out is very important. But it is true that administrations and academic colleagues often behaved very disappointingly. Maybe out of fear or career ambitions, but ultimately both doesn't matter if people don't speak up anymore.