It’s a really interesting, if not surprising dynamic. Not one of the people you are talking about have ever been exceptional, intellectually. Yet they all believe that they see things in a way that others don’t. That they are unappreciated genius living in a time where that genius is unappreciated. When, looking at things through an Occam’s razor lens, it’s clear that they are unimpressive, always have been, but lack the imagination to have the self awareness to fully appreciate their reality.
It’s why conspiracy theories are so persuasive. They are a window to a world where they aren’t below average. Where they are what they see in their day dreams.
The internet just gave them a platform when history would have given them a dunce hat.