There are many folks who are quite bright but don't want their material world invaded by the strange things they might find out if they became curious.
Conventional people are like that...they find the status quo comforting even if it masks a lie.
Beneath the surface, things are frightening...and it takes courage to face them.
Such courage can only come from faith.
I have actually seen some of both types, meaning:
1. there are some as you describe that are, in some ways, deliberately "looking away" from that which they perceive to be uncomfortable.
2. A second group, that when questioned about certain names or topics, honestly say that they have never heard of such people/topics/ideas.