You are right as well, they are idiots, in multiple ways. Their actions may be based on a nihlism where they believe in nothing other than self interest, cynical to the core. But many believe a lot more of their own bullshit than someone like me previously thought.
Covid really drove that point home. They are dumber than we give many of them credit for. Look at MTG, she actually believed the bs. To her credit, she rejected it when she learned. But she didn't already know? We all knew. WTF. The alternative realities we are living under is just incredible.