Your premise here appears to be something like "no one can meaningfully discuss or contribute to discussion without spending a great deal of time poring over minute details of a dissertation."

I suspect that's an overreach. To be sure, anyone that is well-versed in statistical analysis can meaningfully contribute to the discussion (particularly of its statistical validity) by spending that kind of time, and weighing in with confirmation or refutation of the techniques and analysis used.

But I would offer the premise that reading the 2 pages of the conclusion, and pairing that with your own knowledge and life experience qualifies you to participate in and contribute to meaningful discussion.

An excerpt:

> Suggestive evidence is more consistent with peer socialization in college and long-run mechanisms than intentional efforts by faculty or curricula. Students who attend UC campuses as a result of the policy are exposed to more secular and left-leaning peers, live with other college students more often, and are more likely to attain a bachelor’s degree, earn higher incomes, and enroll in graduate school.

That seems like something that we can discuss without the entirety of the 135 page paper in our heads.