The issue is that what constitutes competence gets muddled in fields where there is a lot of false information. People frequently listen to NFL quarterbacks on non-football matters because the quarterback’s message aligns more closely with their preexisting beliefs. But it’s crucial to keep in mind that conducting “one’s own research” does not always imply that a person is reliable. The fact that someone has a big platform for their beliefs does not necessarily mean that you should trust them, unless there is some other kind of proof.
If anything, the opposite has occurred, as their platform may have contributed to their overconfidence.