I had to sit down and accept I am more intelligent than the majority of people by virtue of the fact that I read and paid attention in school, and I had to after watching the political situation in the U.S. deteriorate.

It deteriorated because people refused to learn to read and write correctly, leaving them unable to examine primary sources or fully comprehend what they read in the news, online, everywhere.

It deteriorated because people refused to learn math and science, meaning they can no longer verify factual claims charlatans make to them, or figure out when their bosses are ripping them off, or budget, or make their own stuff.

It deteriorated because people outright rejected the notion of critical thinking and logical debate on principle, preferring instead to force people to submit to their paper-thin view of the world and to accept certain assumptions that lead people to accept authoritarianism in turn.

And it's sad to see. It's sad to watch people so hopelessly fucking stupid and dependent on the system that they'll fight to protect it, and it's even sadder watching them flip the fuck out when you tell them their economic woes are partially their own fault because they refuse to be educated or to use their education.

It's a sad thing to have to accept but it's the truth.