My literary/cultural point of reference is the story “The Emperor’s New Clothes”. I remember reading this story as a kid and thinking how could people be this stupid. I had to live about 50 years to find out the answer to this question. The author of this story must have been one pretty smart dude.
“The Emperor’s New Clothes” is a fairy tale because the citizens did not beat senseless the little boy who spoke the truth.
In terms of evolution and adaptation, man’s only real defense was his innate intelligence. I wonder what happens when that defense is gone, because it is clearly gone generally speaking. That intelligence, as well as creativity, ingenuity, and resourcefulness have been replaced by greed, ignorance, stupidity, and lust for power and control. It’s like we are literally in a Dark Ages.
It is the weakness of all to be subject to being fooled, even the powerful. It is also the weakness of all to perpetuate the myth when it serves their own interest.