I don't disagree, but maybe part of what's trying to be communicated here is that systematic study of the world is not what's happening at times.

When I say this I think of the anecdote in the article about how "intellectuals" prescribe more education as a panacea for social reform instead of the ideas offered by the author. This as a possible case of their own biases precluding a systematic approach.

As I write this, the "frankly crap" part comes to mind again. There's not much substantive here, just a bunch of opinions.