Sure, but I guess my point was the use of the term the "intellectual crowd" (used, as above, unironically, without scare quotes, etc).

"Intellectual" is a fine word for an intelligent person who does the kind of thinking college professors do. Indeed, Wikipedia defines one as "a person who engages in critical thinking, research, and reflection."

We similarly use the term "anti-intellectual" to refer to those in our society who choose not to engage in this kind of critical thinking.

I dislike turning it into an insult, so think we should use a different word to refer to such people.