The quote of Asimov is on point. As a non-American, I remember rewatching “Friends” after Trump came into office and suddenly noticed this subliminal anti-intellectualism even in this rather progressive left leaning TV show: Ross is often ridiculed as boring or arrogant when he talks about science or just trying to be factual, whereas the stupidity of Joey and the superstition and denial of reality of phoebe are glorified as funny and quirky and often shown as equal or even superior to Ross’ intellectualism.

I think the same thing happened in the beginning of the 20th century and partly is the reason for the two world wars which makes me afraid of the future seeing the global development of increasing tension and rearmament.

He was saying that sarcastically