Ummm... I'll hit the disagree button.
In the Security Clearing
The stakes are what others will say about him. The Clearing essentially serve as a culmination for all the various characters relationship with Oppie. Greves, Teller, that one dude who faked an ilness, etc. That's where the juice of it lies. Interpersonal stuff. If Oppie gets science-banned or not is a more overarching point.
Thats partly what I meant earlier when I said the movie feels like you're cascading through Oppie's life, floating through triumphs and defeats on a quick-moving river. Its replete with these little moments of catharsis.