Again, I don't think they lack the intellectual prowess, they choose not to use it.

In Graphic Design, I look for templates because I don't want to burn the calories to build something from the ground up sometimes. That's don't mean I am too stupid or idiotic to build it from the ground up, but why bother if something already exists?

I think part of what we are facing is that for years the media and government at the very core, was reliable. The template for it was working, but over the years it has been corrupted and downright changed until it was off. But the people, who trusted that template still use it, still think it is correct and live under the false auspices that if there is any problem, it must be with the people, not the template.