I disagree with this author. I believe it's ego. Those "smart", "educated", "successful" people see themselves as being like Biden and Fauci and others they admire. They have college degrees, just like their leaders. They're successful, just like their leaders. They're smart, just like their leaders. They even have a catchphrase to pretend they run in the same circles as the people they see on TV. "We're all in this together." To admit that their leaders are wrong would mean they might also be wrong. Their ego won't allow that.