Well, I would think that ridding oneself of naïveté would be a good first step. Many intellectuals refuse to acknowledge the political climate they operate with

Well, I would think that ridding oneself of naïveté would be a good first step. Many intellectuals refuse to acknowledge the political climate they operate within, believing their efforts to be "above" it all. While I do agree that intellectual pursuits _are_ above petty politics, the fact remains that the politics aren't going away. Take a page from the people in power: surround yourself with the protections necessary to prolong that power. I wish it didn't have to be that way, but it is.