NYU students objected to Jonathan Haidt as a graduation speaker, sending a letter stating he doesn't represent their values — a conflict rooted in his public statements that colleges coddle students. Hayes is critiquing the New York Times for covering what he sees as a routine speaker controversy as major news, arguing the story amounts to 'students didn't like the speaker' with no deeper significance. The underlying disagreement is substantive: Haidt argues younger generations are overprotected from difficult ideas, while student leaders say his framework dismisses legitimate concerns about inclusive education.