The problem with Carmack and many like him, is that they 
    think of themselves as purely rational beings operating 
    within scientific frameworks and based purely on scientific 
    results, but whenever they step outside the technical fields 
    in which they work, they are ignorant and dogmatic.

I mean, what's the alternative? For a guy like Carmack to only comment on narrow areas in his field(s) of expertise? He's a human being; I think he's allowed to comment on other topics and I tend to find his comments interesting because I understand them in IMO the correct context -- they're one guy's musings, not pithy declarations and edicts.

The problems arise when folks start to present themselves as experts and try to hold sway over others in areas in which they have no clue. That's not what I see here.