Academics seem smart because they don’t do anything and can concentrate on thinking. Most people are too busy working and taking care of their kids, to really spend time thinking.
Now, I’m not saying that academics aren’t bright, I’m just saying that whatever you concentrate on you will be an expert in. Take a mechanic for example.
A mechanic spends his entire day working on cars, to the point that he can change an engine out without looking at a manual. If an academic tried to change out an engine they would probably not even try and they would most likely need a manual, if they tried.
This same idea works for doctors as well, they only focus on medicine, and are often complete idiots about everything else.
This, however, is the only way the world could function. Just keep that in mind if you think you are stupid, or you start thinking that everyone else is an idiot. For we are all idiots at some point in our lives, even Einstein and Hawking, some are just idiots for larger portions of their lives.