The effect is that MIT has a "progressive" face for the audience that
wants to see it. The real impact MIT has on society, however, it almost
completely in industry -- the large number of companies begun by alums --
and in defense technology -- MIT reached its present stature during WWII
with the research done at the "Radiation Lab". The Radiation Lab actually
hacked radar. When they started it they thought "radiation" would be
an innocuous name and would make the place sound boring.
Besides, one is closest to enlightenment when one is farthest from the
path to enlightenment.
Cheers,
Zig