I think the writer simply wanted to appear very smart. The boiled-down TLDR is 1) A profesor should write a letter of recommendation for you. It's part of thei

I think the writer simply wanted to appear very smart. The boiled-down TLDR is 1) A profesor should write a letter of recommendation for you. It's part of their job, not a favor. 2) If students believe the teachers know them deeply and the teachers deeply care about their studies, the students'll study better. Overall, I agree with your assessments of "letters are meaningless." I also think that the author's views are somewhat characteristic of the life in academia. I don't, however, think the author means, or does, harm. It's more of a 'meh' situation.