I soon discovered, after I became chairman of the NEH, that, for a number of academics, the truth was not merely irrelevant - it no longer existed.

Summary

This quote suggests that the speaker, who became chairman of the NEH (National Endowment for the Humanities), observed that some academics no longer regarded truth as important or relevant. The statement implies that these academics may have completely rejected the concept of objective truth, possibly subscribing to relativistic or postmodern views. It highlights a perception of a shift in the academic landscape, where truth has become subjective or non-existent, leading to potential implications and concerns about the pursuit and dissemination of knowledge.

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