Part of the problem is that "smart" people, especially technical and scientific people, refuse to believe that prices aren't based on logic and hard facts, but

Part of the problem is that "smart" people, especially technical and scientific people, refuse to believe that prices aren't based on logic and hard facts, but the circular-definition that is markets -- the price is what it is, because people pay it. Let's call it the "religion of tangible explanations." People refusing the more correct although ambiguous explanations, in favor of the BS explanations, just because they have a bunch of tangible logic and reasoning attached to it that makes you feel better.