“There's a cult of ignorance in the US, there has always been. The strain of anti-intellectualism has been a constant thread winding its way through our political and cultural life, nurtured by the false notion that democracy means that 'my ignorance is just as good as your knowledge.” ―Issac Asimov
(media.communities.win)
🧠 These people are stupid!
I think you can be an intellectual but with humility. It is a matter of personal choice.
I think most of the intellectuals you refer to are more in line with the Dunning-Krueger effect. They perceive their intellect as much higher than it really is or maybe they lack a moral compass. Drunk on their own impression of themselves.
Someone should always seek knowledge, no matter the source, and appreciate that they still know nothing in the bigger picture.