I am used to hanging out with anons, who have a clue about the world and how it really works. Going to the realm of academics and intellectuals is a bizarre experience — like hanging out with super-clever morons.
Being an expert at one thing, does not make them cleaver... just well read, on one thing.
Academia is so cloistered, they will just go with whatever the prevailing propaganda is for subjects outside of their field- because, to do otherwise is to take away time from their field, and, put them into a situation where they are no longer the experts - their egos, will not allow THAT.