I believe the theory that idiots that shun intelligence have as much if not more sense than the 'densest' of intellectuals has been thoroughly debunked.
Idiots, by definition, don't have much sense. (The converse requires no debunking, even by whatever you consider to be proof -- such as newspaper headlines, social-media memes, or some ridiculous fluff paper by a group of hacks.
)
Taleb isn't saying that non-intellectual idiots have more sense than intellectual idiots.
He is saying that average Americans are not idiots, and have more sense than idiots, even intellectual ones.
He is also saying that countries have an over-layer enriched with such intellectual yet idiots, who feel that they are smarter than you and I, that they know better than you and I how to run our lives, and that you and I should obediently and gratefully accept their instruction.
Arlo, you are rejecting the teachings of the high-tier intellectual, Taleb -- a man of lofty education; a man of great and demonstrated intelligence; and a man of luminous scientific, academic, and professional accomplishment; and a best-selling author of numerous intellectual tomes.
Maybe he knows better than you what you should think.
PS: In these touchy times, Arlo, I hope that you know I like you a lot
, and trading barbs is I hope all in good fun.
