Unfortunately, I end up at much the same conclusion: "Ignorance by design." I'm tempted to use the term "stupidity," but I have met plenty of smart people who nonetheless have no idea how to think for themselves. But they can use Google like a whizz, but have no functional idea of how to check the veracity of something by thinking it through.

Yes, we're consumers. Which is a whole different "hobby horse" of mine, because it's yet another manifestation of mindlessness. As (largely) a non-consumer, I am almost regarded as an "enemy of the state." And if I "dare" to question the Holy Grail of Capitalism... WATCH OUT! Things start flying for my head...