[..] the smart enough people on the top end of the curve basically fight each other for the right to manipulate the idiots for their own selfishness. [..] The actually smart people have better things to do and have no interest in all this stupid shit.

I was going to object to your first bit, but then you objected yourself. Did you notice the contradiction? :p

I would argue that the people trying to manipulate others are not "the smart ones" but a certain level of intellect is the tool you need to act out your psychopathic/sociopathic tendencies, which are actually what triggers the desire to manipulate others.