The article discusses the increasing fear of saying the wrong thing makes ordinary conversations more difficult than staying silent. The author points out that race has become a psychological minefield, particularly among white professionals, particularly white professionals in elite settings, who often treat regular conversations as potentially dangerous. This behavior shifts beyond the consulting room and into everyday life, where people often edit themselves, add disclaimers, and mentally prepare for how they might need to explain or retreat. The article suggests that while a culture meant to encourage dialogue and encourage honest conversations, elite institutions have made this situation worse. It suggests that a healthy culture should teach adults to treat race like a danger, rather than a culture that promotes self-censorship.