There are 10 different public universities in the UC system and 23 in the CSU system. The majority of them are not difficult to graduate. If you don't want a demanding education, don't go to a demanding university.
>Intentionally lowering the quality of instruction, as well as deliberately trying to trip students up on exams
I was happy with the quality of the instruction, and I didn't feel I was being "tripped up" on exams.
It's not about "hunger games", it's about challenging students to learn a lot of material and learn it well. Again, if that's not what you want, just don't attend.
The number of places where this environment exists is getting smaller every year: https://xcancel.com/CJHandmer/status/2060144837157118307#m
I'm glad the professors at Cal are working to preserve it there.