If the elites understood the masses, that would imply that the elites believe the masses to be capable of rational thought. Otherwise there is no basis for comp

If the elites understood the masses, that would imply that the elites believe the masses to be capable of rational thought. Otherwise there is no basis for comprehension. Elite by definition is believing that the opinions of the masses are not rationally based in logic or fact. The real question is what delusion allows the masses to believe that the elites are simply "out of touch" instead of actively adversarial. But that delusion breaking down is what drives more of these articles being written.