LRD, going back a bit now, but I find it interesting what you say about being asked to tone down your arguments within academia - or give equal weight to different views, only one of which you believe to be right.
I find this fascinating [deletes boring bit of personal autobiography] - but the bit I find really interesting is the notion that "balance" is correct, that "balance" contains truth. It is really bizarre, and yet all-pervasive, and so so (obviously) pro-status quo. I mean we have a completely artificial, socially determined situation with respect to any views that are available, part of the discourse, at any given time and within any given subject, and it seems crazy that you are seen as more tending towards the truth if you give them all a chance rather than a rigorous analysis of their merits.
And it works! I mean if we could effectively establish as a minority, but mainstream view, that, say, 25% of humans have martian genes, people who didn't believe it, but honestly thought a fair few other people did, would treat this view with respect in the media. It drives me crazy!
{And this is why the coalition are getting away with all this benefits bashing crap - but that's for another thread]
And this is why the Cof E did not get women bishops - not because enough people thought that it was wrong, but because enough people who thought that it was right thought the other nutters had a view of such established credibility that it should be respected. ARGH!