This is a very interesting conversation. Reading through the first posts yesterday some ideas came to me and I now see that the newer posts largely describe the ideas forming in my own mind.
I’ve thought about this also , and my observations are highly intelligent people or academics do not necessarily have the ability to assimilate an understanding of a complex reality. It appears to me to be the difference between 3rd density and 4th density thinking. When you “SEE” the big picture you are assimilating deeper layers of understanding of how the world works rather than just looking at the information as it is presented and putting together a 3d puzzle.Perhaps some people are just not capable of seeing?
If we conceptualize of the Matrix Control System as a kind of semi-conscious entity of its own, looking to survive and perpetuate its existence, having its 'roots' in 4th density with branches of control reaching down to 3rd density, it would make sense that all of 3rd density (as long as it's only taken at face value) is set up as a web/labyrinth of compartmentalized distractions and half-truths which keeps any potential seeker running in circles as long as they don't expand their thinking to include influences beyond the directly tangible ones.
Every program we are exposed to through the Predator's Mind serves its purpose by giving just enough truth and seeming validity to make us complacent and accepting of whatever internal or external narrative that program feeds us, but because of the mechanical nature of these programs they ultimately only keep us in the same place, keeping focus strictly within the defined 'safe' parameters of matter/physicality.
The academic or highly intellectual mind, in a sense could be seen as a successful product of the Matrix, where it converts a person with high intellectual capacity into serving itself (the Matrix). If 'emotional man' gets neutralized by giving him shallow, emotionally loaded entertainment and petty human dramas, then 'intellectual man' gets neutralized by the academic arena, where they are free to use their intellectual capacity, but only within the preconceived limits of what is 'acceptable'.
And that's what made me consider that some of these intelligent individuals, may have built into themselves pieces of information and narratives as part of their identity, and that is a place that their intelligence will never be able to challenge without them being willing to do so. Specially if that intelligence is working with the prime directive, let's call it, of survival and protecting said identity, which would include writing complex protective narratives to explain away ones conclusions about reality.
This is what I'm getting at, only with slightly different wording. The overemphasis on especially physicality (3rd density) from the get-go puts big limits on how far these minds allow themselves to reach. I haven't been anywhere close to any contact with academia but from what I've understood by reading and talking to people, is that there's much incentive to be original and 'trailblazing', although at the same time academic group-think really seems to be a major factor also.
This then creates a dynamic where the intellectual has a high drive to contribute something to his field, yet at the same time knowing that going too far out of the box is a big no-no, as there are already in place certain guidelines or parameters which are not to be crossed, i.e. paranormal studies, conspiracy theories etc.. Thus the efforts (sometimes super efforts) of these individuals, no matter how well-intentioned, just end up solidifying the status quo, because they are deterred from making waves that are seen as 'too out there'.
I hope the above made sense, I think people's intelligence (as any other part of their being) has a default program of protecting the integrity of the identity, which is the origin of cognitive dissonance.
Again, it's the built in survival mechanism of the Predator's Mind that hinders these people from admitting they could be at fault. I think we can not underestimate the willingness of the Matrix to perpetuate itself, and how readily that is visible in our very own minds.
But without that one tiny, or huge, ingredient of the willingness to question, no amount of arguing or data will effect any change.
And in order to get to a point of willingness to change/question, shocks of worldview shattering proportions need to be administered, which of course unfortunately kicks the programming into overdrive to retain the status quo.
One thing I'd like to add, that became pretty clear during the Covid saga, is that academics and other highly educated people have great resistance to the idea that they are being manipulated with propaganda and hypnotizing techniques.
Very much this. I think somehow academia by itself is a big sacred cow with many subsidiary sacred cows under it, and thus anyone who strongly identifies with being part of the "upper class"/intellectual elite very much integrates and internalizes this sacred cow into their own identity. I would guess they see themselves "above" things such as propaganda and/or hypnotizing techniques.
An example of this might be (based loosely on what I've noticed) that some academic guy thinks that since he reads all the news papers very carefully every day (because he's such a good reader!), he's up to speed, and knows very well what's goingo on. Never suspecting that the news papers brainwash him every day...
This summarizes nicely the main point I'm trying to make here; that academia is doing exactly what it's supposed to do; give just enough truth and validity to keep the show going, but not quite enough to let people see too far. To see more, one has to venture beyond the accepted narratives, but in academic circles this is hard, if not impossible to do. Going too far outside the box can mean career and/or social suicide.